Novel tissue protective erythropoietin receptor (nepor) and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Methods of determining whether a patient is suitable for erythropoietin (EPO) therapy, including (A) isolating a tissue sample from said patient; (B) determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 in said sample; and (C) correlating a presence of EPH-B4 expression to a negative physiological response to EPO therapy). In addition, methods of enhancing the effectiveness of EPO therapy in a patient by administering to said patient, in conjunction with EPO therapy, an siRNA specific for EPH-B4.

INFORMATION ON RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/EP2008/066480 filed Nov. 28, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/991,042, filed Nov. 29, 2007, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Approved by the FDA in 1993 for treatment of anemia, Erythropoietin (EPO) is a 193 amino acid glycoprotein hormone, produced by the kidneys to regulate red blood cell (RBC) production; a process commonly termed erythropoiesis. EPO was originally identified as a cytokine that promotes erythrocyte progenitor survival and differentiation, but has also been shown to possess neuroprotective functions, particularly in response to ischemic injury in the central nervous system, (CNS). Clinical use of EPO has been prevalent in the treatment of anemic cancer patients, while ongoing studies are exploring EPO's potential in the treatment of neurological diseases (e.g. stroke). Notwithstanding, recent clinical studies in cancer patients have begun to uncover highly worrying adverse events, suggesting that administration of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) can adversely effect overall patient survival. An urgent need thus exists in medical oncology to better understand and predict the prevalence or susceptibility to this effect, so that administration of rHuEPO can be contra-indicated, continued or stopped.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses members of the ephrin family (ephrinA1 and EPH-B4) as mediators of cytoprotective EPO signalling, either as homodimers and/or as heterodimeric partners of EPOR and/or each other. Our data emphasize the importance of EPH-B4 and EphrinA1 in mediating this function. As such, NEPOR represents a novel EPO receptor derived from a unique combination (i.e. via homo- and/or hetero-dimerization) of components derived from ephrin biology and possibly the EPO receptor. See FIG. 3 for summary.

The present disclosure is based upon the data that EPH-B4 and EphrinA1 are the components of a novel EPO receptor (NEPOR). We are able to show that EPO stimulates enhanced tumor growth in a mouse tumor model system. EPO stimulates the Akt signalling pathway in cell lines lacking EPO receptor expression. These cells express EPH-B4 which is a receptor that stimulates signalling via the Akt pathway. Furthermore in a mouse tumor model it can be shown that EPO is capable of stimulating significant tumor growth. Such activity is inhibited via knock-down of the EPH-B4 receptor highlighting the EPH-B4 dependant nature of a EPO mediated tumor genesis. As such, NEPOR is primarily composed of EPH-B4 as a homodimer and/or in heterodimeric association with EPOR or an Ephrin. Furthermore, in silico analyses points to structural complementarity between EPO and Ephrin molecules, particularly Ephrin A1. Thus, NEPOR may also be composed of EphrinA1 as a homodimer and/or in heterodimeric association EPH-B4. A summary of these putative NEPOR species is provided in FIG. 3 and Table 5.

The present disclosure provides a method for assessing a tissue for expression of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1. In so doing, the present disclosure provides a prognostic method to stratify patients having a tumour as suitable (NEPOR not present on the tumour; NEPOR−) or non-suitable (NEPOR present on the tumour; NEPOR+) for EPO treatment. Specifically, the method for assessing tumour tissue NEPOR and/or gene expression components comprises:

-   -   (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is         receiving or shall receive erythropoietin,     -   (b) determining the level of expression of the NEPOR gene         transcript(s) (i.e. EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 mRNA) and/or the         presence of the NEPOR gene products (i.e. EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin         A1 proteins) from the isolated tissue, and     -   (c) correlating the presence of these NEPOR component gene         expression products to a negative physiological response to the         treatment with erythropoietin.

In one aspect, methods are provided for determining whether a patient is suitable for erythropoietin (EPO) therapy, comprising (A) isolating a tissue sample from said patient; (B) determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 in said sample; and (C) correlating a presence of EPH-B4 expression to a negative physiological response to EPO therapy. In one embodiment, the level of expression is determined by measuring the amount of EPH-B4 protein (SEQ ID NO: 2) in said sample. In another embodiment, the level of expression is determined by measuring the amount of EPH-B4 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 6) in said sample.

In another embodiment, the methods further comprise determining the level of expression in the sample of at least one of Ephrin A1 protein (SEQ ID NO: 3) or EPOR protein (SEQ ID NO: 1). Similarly, the methods can comprise determining the level of expression in the sample of at least one of Ephrin A1 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 7) or EPOR mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 5).

Methods of determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 are further explained below.

In one embodiment, the presence of EPH-B4 expression is defined by the percentage of cells in said sample showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein and the concentration of EPH-B4 protein in said cells. In one example, the presence of EPH-B4 expression is defined by the formula P×C wherein P is the percentage of cells in said sample showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein and C is the relative concentration of EPH-B4 protein in said cells, wherein a score of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 is assigned to a sample comprising a percentage of cells showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein of, respectively, 0%, <25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and 75-100%, wherein a score of 1, 2 or 3 is assigned to relative concentrations of EPH-B4 protein of, respectively, weak, moderate and heavy, and wherein a resulting product of >3 denotes EPH-B4 expression in the sample.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the level of expression of EPH-B4, but not of EPH-A1 is determined. Alternatively, the level of expression of EPH-B4, but not of other components of NEPOR is determined. This includes the possibility that the level of other proteins not being part of NEPOR is determined.

In a further embodiment, only the level of expression of EPH-B4 is determined.

In one embodiment, the level of expression of EPH-B4 is determined by immunohistochemistry. In another embodiment, the level of expression of EPH-B4 is determined by ELISA. In another embodiment, the level of expression of EPH-B4 is determined by RT-PCR.

Preferably, the expression of the NEPOR component genes (i.e. EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 mRNA) is determined by a molecular biological technique selected from the group consisting of PCR, QPCR, R-PCR, gene expression microarray analysis, northern-blot analysis, reverse transcription and amplification, zymography, ligase-chain-reaction, NASBA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the determination of the presence of the NEPOR gene products is done by detecting the respective proteins with an immunoassay procedure, where the immunoassay procedure is selected from the group of immunoprecipitation, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or fluorescent immunoassay, a chemiluminescent assay, an agglutination assay, nephelometric assay, turbidimetric assay, a Western blot, a competitive immunoassay, a noncompetitive immunoassay, a homogeneous immunoassay a heterogeneous immunoassay, a bioassay and a reporter-assay such as a luciferase-assay. The immunoassay procedure is most preferably based on ELISA.

Preferably, the method for detection of NEPOR and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 on tumour tissue can also be an in situ imaging method, comprising administering an anti-NEPOR antibody or NEPOR binding peptide linked to a radio-ligand or other imaging agent, and measuring for tissue distribution and location of the radio-ligand or other imaging agent. Preferably, the tissue sample is selected from the cancerous tissue or circulating cells derived from same, or from a group of biological tissues and fluids such as blood, lymph, urine, cerebral fluid. Specifically, the individual is a cancer patient who is to be treated with erythropoietin or is being treated with erythropoietin. Preferably, the negative physiological effect is increased tumor progression and/or poorer patient survival. Preferably, the presence of NEPOR gene products and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 is indicative of increased tumor progression and/or poorer patient survival upon treatment with erythropoietin. Preferably the cancer is one of head and neck cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, small intestine cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), malignant melanoma, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer, vulvar cancer, Penile cancer, testicular cancer, thymus cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, eye cancer, adrenal gland cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, appendix cancer, adenoid cancer, bile duct cancer, urethral cancer, spinal cancer, Ewing's family of tumors, extragonal germ cell cancer, extra hepatic bile duct cancer, fallopian tube cancer, soft tissue cancers, bone cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, anal cancer, malignant mesothelioma, vaginal cancer skin cancer, central nervous system cancer (craniopharyngioma), pleuropulmonary blastoma, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis and ureter, pituitary gland cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, and salivary gland cancer. It is particularly preferred that the cancer is selected from the group of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer.

The present disclosure further provides a method for designing a therapy which modulates the activity of NEPOR and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1, comprising:

1) performing an in vitro screening assay for NEPOR and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 specific therapies; by measuring the binding of test compounds to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 (also in comparison to EPOR homodimer complexes), wherein the test compound is labelled (binding of the labelled test compound to the receptor complexes detailed in FIG. 10) and is measured by detecting the label attached to the test compound; 2) performing a label-free screening approach such as surface plasmon resonance. In this case the test compound is not labelled and its binding to NEPOR receptor complexes (as detailed in FIG. 10) is measured by a label independent (optical) method. 3) testing NEPOR and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 activity by (a) contacting a test compound with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex (N) or tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex-expressing cell; measuring the level of the activity of (N) in the cell; identifying a test compound that increases or decreases the level of activity of (N) as compared to the level of activity of (N) measured in the absence of the test compound; and assaying the identified test compound for tissue protective activity; 4) testing the modulation of NEPOR/ligand binding and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 ligand binding by (a) contacting (N) with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 ligand attached to a first label, and an equivalent amount of a test compound attached to a second label under conditions conducive to binding, removing unbound material from (N), and detecting the level of the first and second labels, where if the second label is present the compound binds (N) and if the level of the first label decreases relative to the level of the first label when the labelled ligand is contacted with (N) under conditions conducive to binding in the absence of a test compound after removal of unbound material, then a compound that binds to (N) is identified. 5) identifying a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity in a mammal, comprising: (a) administering the compound to a first animal immediately following infliction of an injury, wherein the first animal endogenously expresses a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; and (b) administering the compound to a second animal immediately following infliction of the same injury as in step (a), wherein the second animal is deficient in expression of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 or components thereof; such that if recovery from the injury differs in the animal of step (a) as compared to the animal of step (b), a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity is identified.

The present disclosure further provides methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a human comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates the activity of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex to a human in need of such treatment or prevention, with the proviso that the compound is not EPO. The compound is selected from the group consisting of an antibody specific for the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, an antibody is specific for a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand, a small molecule, a peptide, an EPO mutant, an EPO:Ephrin_ligand_binding domain chimera, a member of a library, and a combination thereof. Preferably, such compounds negatively modulate the tissue protective function of the NEPOR receptor complex in the aforementioned mentioned cancers. Preferably such compounds positively modulate the tissue protective function of the NEPOR receptor complex wherein the disease or disorder is caused by hypoxia, seizure disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, neurotoxin poisoning, multiple sclerosis, hypotension, cardiac arrest, radiation, or hypoglycemia.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying compounds that modulate NEPOR's tissue protective signalling activity, comprising (a) contacting a test compound with the NEPOR receptor complex expressing cell; (b) measuring the level of tissue protective activity initiated by NEPOR activation in the cell; (c) identifying a test compound which increases or decreases the level of tissue protective NEPOR complex activity in a cell; (d) assaying the identified compounds for tissue protective activity mediated via NEPOR; and (e) assaying the identified therapeutics for NEPOR inhibitory activity. Preferably, the assay in step (d) is a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by a cell proliferation/differentiation assay. More preferably, the cells in the cell proliferentiation/differentiation assay are recombinantly engineered to express EPH-B4, and/or EPOR, and/or Ephrin A1. More preferably, the cells endogenously express an EPO receptor and are transformed with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that (i) is operably linked to a promoter, and (ii) encodes either EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1. Most preferably, the cells endogenously express EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 and are transformed with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that (i) is operably linked to a promoter, and (ii) encodes an EPO receptor polypeptide.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that modulates the interaction between a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex with one or more test compounds; and (b) measuring the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity, whereby if the activity measured in (b) differs from the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity in the absence of the one or more test compounds, then a compound that modulates the interaction between the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is identified. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by cell proliferation or cell differentiation. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity measured is the ability of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex to interact with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. Preferably, the step of assaying the identified compound for tissue protective activity comprises detecting the presence of nucleolin in the cell. Preferably, the step of assaying the identified compound for tissue protective activity comprises detecting or measuring an increased level of activity of neuroglobin or cytoglobin in a cell. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is in solution. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is in a cell. Preferably, the compound inhibits the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. Preferably, the compound enhances the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex contacted in step (a) is on a cell surface. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is on an isolated cell membrane. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is compared to EPOR receptor activation to identify NEPOR specific compounds. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is immobilized to a solid surface and more preferably, the solid surface is a microtiter dish or a chip.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that binds a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; and (b) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding EPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least two EPO receptor extracellular domains fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support (c) removing unbound test compounds from the solid supports; (d) identifying the compound attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment, but not the EPOR receptor complex (and vice versa), whereby a compound bound to the solid support is identified as a compound that binds specifically to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex or a compound that binds specifically to an EPOR receptor complex.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that binds a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; (b) removing unbound test compounds from the solid supports; (c) identifying the compound attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment, whereby a compound bound to the solid support is identified as a compound that binds specifically to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that binds to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support with (i) a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand attached to a first label and (ii) an equivalent amount of a test compound attached to a second label under conditions conducive to binding; (b) removing unbound material from the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; and (c) detecting the level of the first and second labels wherein if the second label is present the compound binds the complex and if the level of the first label decreases relative to the level of the first label where the labelled ligand is contacted with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex under conditions conducive to binding in the absence of a test compound after removal of unbound material, then a compound that binds to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is identified.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; in the presence of one or more test compounds under conditions conducive to binding; and (b) measuring the amount of tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligated bound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; whereby if the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand measured in (b) differs from the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand measured in the absence of the one or more test compounds, then a compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is identified.

Preferably, the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is measured using a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand-specific antibody. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is labelled and binding of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is labelled and binding of the labelled ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. Preferably, the label is fluorescent. Preferably, the test compound is an antibody specific for the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. Preferably, the test compound is a small molecule. Preferably, the test compound is a peptide or a member of a library. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is EPO, or derivatives thereof. Preferably, the compound binds the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex or ligand thereof. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is compared to EPOR receptor activation to identify NEPOR specific compounds.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity in a mammal, comprising: (a) administering the compound to a first animal immediately following infliction of an injury, wherein the first animal endogenously expresses a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; and (b) administering the compound to a second animal immediately following infliction of the same injury as in step (a), wherein the second animal is deficient in expression of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex or components thereof; such that if recovery from the injury differs in the animal of step (a) as compared to the animal of step (b), a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity is identified.

The present disclosure further provides a method for designing a compound which interferes with NEPOR's survival promoting activity, comprising:

-   -   (a) providing the molecular makeup of the NEPOR species and         providing amino acid sequences of a component NEPOR         polypeptides;     -   (b) using software comprised by the digital computer to design a         chemical compound/protein construct which is predicted to bind         to NEPOR; and     -   (c) optionally designing protein constructs which mimic NEPOR in         its dimerised/multimerised state (e.g. Fc constructs).

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying compounds that modulate NEPOR's tissue protective signalling activity, comprising (a) contacting a test compound with the NEPOR receptor complex; (b) measuring the level of tissue protective activity initiated by NEPOR activation; (c) identifying a test compound which increases or decreases the level of tissue protective NEPOR complex activity; (d) assaying the identified therapeutics for tissue protective activity mediated via NEPOR; and (e) assaying the identified therapeutics for NEPOR inhibitory activity. Preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by measuring the binding of the test compound to the NEPOR receptor complex. More preferably, the test compound is labelled and binding of the labelled test compound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the test compound. Most preferably, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by measuring the binding of the test compound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex.

The present disclosure further provides a method for imaging tumour tissue that is susceptible to enhanced survival in response to EPO treatment, comprising administering an anti-NEPOR antibody or NEPOR binding peptide linked to a radio-ligand or other imaging agent, and measuring for tissue distribution and location of the radio-ligand or other imaging agent. Preferably, the anti-NEPOR antibody is a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody selected from the group of antibodies listed in Table 6.

The present disclosure further provides a method for modulating cell survival in NEPOR positive tissue comprising administering an EPO mutants and peptides selected from the group consisting of peptides from SEQ ID NO. 17 through SEQ ID NO. 212.

The present disclosure further provides a method for modulating cell survival in NEPOR positive tissue comprising administering an effective amount of an EPO chimera, comprising an ephrin receptor ligand binding domain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 215, and SEQ ID NO. 216.

In another aspect, methods are provided for enhancing the effectiveness of EPO therapy in a patient, comprising administering to the patient, in conjunction with EPO therapy, an siRNA specific for EPH-B4. In one embodiment, the siRNA is selected from the group of nucleic acid duplexes consisting of SEQ ID NO: 242 and SEQ ID NO: 243; SEQ ID NO: 244 and SEQ ID NO: 245; SEQ ID NO: 246 and SEQ ID NO: 247; SEQ ID NO: 248 and SEQ ID NO: 249; SEQ ID NO: 250 and SEQ ID NO: 251; SEQ ID NO: 252 and SEQ ID NO: 253; SEQ ID NO: 254 and SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256 and SEQ ID NO: 257; SEQ ID NO: 258 and SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260 and SEQ ID NO: 261.

In another embodiment, the siRNA is a duplex of SEQ ID NO: 266 and SEQ ID NO: 267. In another, the siRNA is a duplex of ID NO: 219 and SEQ ID NO: 220.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the genomic localization of human Eph receptor (EPH) and ephrin (EFN) genes on human chromosomes.

FIG. 2 shows the domain architecture of Eph receptors and Ephrins (A and B subclasses).

FIG. 3 shows the theoretical combinations of receptors that might have EPO binding capacity.

FIG. 4 shows a process for identifying putative EPO binding transmembrane receptors. All proteins containing two membrane proximal FN3 domains were extracted (84 in all) and assessed for evidence of response to hypoxia. EPH-B4 was amongst one of four possible proteins extracted. Moreover, it is the only member of the Ephrin receptor family which is embryonic lethal, with death in embryo's preceding that of EPOR knock-outs.

FIG. 5 shows the human EPO locus showing the neighbouring EPH-B4 gene.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the results from analysis of the 5′ and 3′ UTR's (and an additional 500 bp on either side) of the EPO, EPOR and EPH-B4 genes for the presence of hypoxia inducible transcription factor binding sites. This study was performed employing the “Match” algorithm from TRANSFAC (Nucleic Acids Res. 2003 January 1, 31(1):374-8) to analyse the composition of HIF1 binding sites. Strikingly, only the EPO and EPH-B4 genes were found to contain such sites, supporting the hypothesis that EPH-B4 is indeed hypoxia inducible. The figure discloses the nucleotide sequences as SEQ ID NOS 225-233, respectively, in order of appearance and the protein sequences as SEQ ID NOS 268-273, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 7A shows a structural analysis of EphrinA5:EphB2 association in comparison with that of EPO:EPOR. This structural analysis reveals several commonalities consistent with a propensity for Ephrin A1 to bind EPO. The top panel shows homology of the EPO binding region of EPOR to the human Ephrin A molecules. FIG. 7B compares the structural aspects of Ephrin A with EPOR. Figure discloses SEQ ID NOS 234-240 in the first box, residues 73-107 of SEQ ID NO: 234, 75-109 of SEQ ID NO: 235, 81-119 of SEQ ID NO: 236, 85-123 of SEQ ID NO: 237, 76-114 of SEQ ID NO: 238, 79-117 of SEQ ID NO: 239 and 76-105 of SEQ ID NO: 240 in the second box, residues 31-34 of SEQ ID NO: 234, 31-34 of SEQ ID NO: 235, 33-36 of SEQ ID NO: 236, 36-39 of SEQ ID NO: 237, 30-33 of SEQ ID NO: 238, 30-33 of SEQ ID NO: 239 and 26-32 of SEQ ID NO: 240 in the third box, and residues 45-53 of SEQ ID NO: 234, 47-55 of SEQ ID NO: 235, 50-58 of SEQ ID NO: 236, 54-62 of SEQ ID NO: 237, 47-55 of SEQ ID NO: 238, 48-56 of SEQ ID NO: 239 and 47-55 of SEQ ID NO: 240 in the fourth box.

FIG. 8 shows staining of hippocampus with anti-EPH-B4 and anti-EpoR antibodies. It should be noted that there is a striking co-expression of both proteins restricted to certain cells only. These data suggest functional coupling of EPH-B4 and EPOR activity.

FIG. 9 shows co-immunoprecipitation of EPH-B4 using flag-tagged EpoR. This finding is consistent with the notion that EPH-B4 and EPOR might heterodimerize.

FIG. 10 shows the possible various species of NEPOR (without being bound by theory). In this representation, NEPOR homo/heterodimer species are shown as Fc constructs. This mimics the dimerization of separate receptor monomers. Any method which allows the production of such NEPOR dimers can be employed in screening for NEPOR specific agonists and antagonists, including small molecules, peptides, proteins and EPO variants.

FIG. 11 shows an alignment of EPO protein mutants which are predicted to bind NEPOR more favourably than EPOR. Such mutants are predicted to be primarily tissue protective as opposed to haematopoietic, particularly those versions combining the described mutations.

FIG. 12 shows mRNA levels of ovarian cancer cell lines. RNA was isolated from a panel ovarian cancer cell lines and was reverse transcribed into cDNA. PCR was done using primers specific for EPO receptor, EPH-B4, Ephrin A1 and actin.

FIG. 13 shows protein expression in ovarian cancer cell lines. Protein extracts were isolated from a panel ovarian cancer cell lines. Samples were separated using SDS-Page gel electrophoresis. Immunoblots using antibodies for EPO Receptor (R&D biosystems), EPH-B4 (a gift from Prakash Gil), Ephrin A1 and acting (Sigma Aldrich) were used to compare protein expression.

FIG. 14 shows ESA protection from chemotherapy induced apoptosis. Ovarian cancer cell lines Hey A8, SkoV3 ip1, and HeyA8-MDR (chemoresistant) were treated with 50 U erythropoietin (EPO), 50 nM docetaxel, or a combination of EPO and docetaxes for 48 hours. Cells were then fixed and DNA stained with propidium iodide. Percentage of sub 01 cells were then quantified using flow cytometer (BD).

FIG. 15 shows signalling pathways activated in response to EPO in ovarian cancer cell lines. Cell lines previously characterized for expression levels of EPOR, EPH-B4, and Ephrin A1 were washed and grown in serum free media for two hours. Cells were then treated with 50 U EPO and collected and designated time points (0, 5 and 30 minutes). Protein extracts were isolated and analyzed by immunoblots using antibodies for phosphor-STAT5 (Invitrogen), phosphor-AKT, phosphor-ERK (Cell Signaling) and acting (Sigma Aldrich).

FIG. 16 shows erythropoietin induced tumor growth in nude mice. Mice were injected i.p. with 1×10⁶ Hey MDR ovarian cancer cells. Day eight following injections mice were injected with designated amounts of EPO (10, 50, 100 U, three mice per group) every second day. A) Mice were sacrificed at day 26 and tumor weight was measured. B) Protein extracts were isolated from tumors and analyzed by immunoblot using antibodies specific for phosphor AKT ser 473, phosphor ERK (Cell Signaling) and pSTAT5b (Invitrogen).

FIG. 17 shows EPH-B4 expression effects tumor promoting effect of EPO. Female nude mice were injected i.p. with 1×10⁶ HeyA8-MDR cells. Day eight following injection the cells were treated with control siRNA-DOPC, EPH-B4 siRNA-DOPC, EPO, or in EPO+ control or EPH-B4 siRNA-DOPC (10 per group). (50 U EPO given 3× week, 5 μg siRNA 2× week). Mice were sacrificed on day 25 and tumor weights were measured. Statistics were done using students T-test. B) Distribution of tumor weight per group.

FIG. 18 shows tumor weight distributions.

FIG. 19 shows an immunoblot analysis of HeyA8 MDR and A2780cp20 cells exposed to Epo (50 U/ml) for 15 and 30 minutes or MG132 (10 μM) for 30 minutes followed by co-immunoprecipitation with an anti-EPHB4 antibody.

FIG. 20 graphically shows the effect of EphB4 and EpoR inhibition on binding of iodine-125-labelled EPO in cell lines HeyA8, HeyA8 MDR and A2780cp20.

FIG. 21 graphically depicts immunohistochemical analysis of EpoR conducted on 4 μm-thick formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian cancer specimens. “◯” designates patients negative for EpoR, while “1” designates patients positive for EpoR. The “†” symbol designates censored points, i.e. last medical follow-up for patients who have not died.

FIG. 22 graphically depicts immunohistochemical analysis of EphB4 conducted on 4 μm-thick formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian cancer specimens. “◯” designates patients negative for EphB4, while “1” designates patients positive for EphB4. The “†” designates censored points, i.e. last medical follow-up for patients who have not died.

FIG. 23 graphically depicts immunohistochemical analysis of EphB4 and Epo-R conducted on 4 μm-thick formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian cancer specimens. “◯” designates patients that are both EphB4 and EpoR negative; “1” designates patients that are EphB4 positive and EpoR negative; “2” designates patients that are EphB4 negative and EpoR positive; “3” designates patients that are EphB4 positive and EpoR positive. The “†” designates censored points, i.e. last medical follow-up for patients who have not died.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure results from the identification of a novel EPO receptor, henceforth referred to as NEPOR. NEPOR was identified using a bioinformatics workflow encompassing both a functional and sequence based analysis of the human genome/proteome. Homology analysis involving an extracellular protein database (termed XtraCellDB) was used in conjunction text-mining and genome context analysis. These in silico predictions were subsequently verified in lab-based experiments. Thus, the present disclosure provides genomic, proteomic and experiment evidence that the protein EPH-B4 (Erythropoietin Producing Hepatoma protein B4) and/or Ephrin A1 act as EPO receptors.

EPO: Biological Function

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a 193 amino acid type I cytokine, produced by cells of the renal cortex to regulate red blood cell (RBC) production in a process termed erythropoiesis. Erythropoiesis is multistage in nature, involving the differentiation of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells through the lineage-committed burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) progenitor cells, which give rise to a series of early and late erythroblasts, eventually leading to the formation of reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes. During this process, the sequential formation of pro-erythroblasts, basophilic, polychromatophilic, and orthochromatic erythroblasts is positively regulated by EPO. EPO induces multiple positive effects on early erythroblasts, including increased proliferation, progression through maturation, and protection from programmed cell death.

In terms of molecular mechanism, EPO binds to two identical receptors (EpoR), an event which activates several intracellular signaling pathways. These include Janus kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (JAK2-STAT5), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), and Ras-Raf-MEK (mitogen-activated or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase)—ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase). The JAK2-STAT5 and RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathways are thought to be associated with Epo's mitogenic action, while the PI3K pathway, acting through Akt (PI3K-Akt), is viewed as a mediator of EPO's anti-apoptotic activities.

EPO: Clinical Use

Anemia (AmE) or anæmia/anaemia (BrE), from the Greek (′vαiμía)(an-ha{hacek over (i)}ma) meaning “without blood”, is a deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or hemoglobin. The condition is commonly observed in patients with chronic diseases, and is particularly common in cancer where about 50% of patients are anaemic at presentation and some 70-90% developing the condition during the course of treatment (typically termed chemotherapy induced anemia (CIA)). In a recent review of the European Cancer Anemia Survey (ECAS), Ludwig et al. cited a 50% baseline anemia rate (hemoglobin [Hb]<12 g/dL) among 3010 patients with hematological malignancies and a 41% baseline anemia rate among 11,453 patients with solid tumours (Blood, 2002; 100:234a-235a. Abstract 884). Further longitudinal analysis revealed that 72% of 2780 patients with haematologic malignancies and 66% of 10,067 patients with solid tumours succumbed to CIA. Other published studies have reported varying high rates in patients at different phases and with different types of treatment (Table 1). Notwithstanding, all studies demonstrate the extremely high prevalence of anemia amongst cancer patients.

TABLE 1 Prevalence of Anemia in Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment Type of Cancer Prevalence of Anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL) Cervical cancer^([3]) 82% Solid tumors^([1]) 66% Colorectal cancer^([3]) 67% Lung cancer^([3]) 63% Haematological malignancies 72%

A number of factors contribute to the high incidence of anemia among cancer patients, including not only chemotherapy and radiation-induced myelosuppression, but also cytokine-mediated anemia of chronic disease, bleeding, marrow infiltration by tumour, hemolysis, and nutritional deficiencies. Whatever the source, anemia results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, leading to tissue hypoxia and an associated range of clinical consequences, affecting all realms of patient health: physiologic status, psychosocial well-being and quality of life. Not surprising, anemia can negatively affect a patient's response to cancer therapy, a fact which highlights the important supportive role of rHuEPO in restoring normal RBC counts.

EPO: Clinical Safety

ESA's were for many years considered to be extremely safe in their labelled indications of chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy-induced anemia. The first hints of safety issues came in 2003 when results from a pair of studies examining EPO's potentiation of radiation and chemotherapy prompted an FDA meeting in May 2004. This first study (the ENHANCE study: Lancet 2003; 362:1255-1260) suggested the relative risk of progression-free survival was worse for patients who received radiotherapy plus NeoRecormon epoetin beta from Roche than for patients receiving placebo plus radiotherapy. A randomized, double-blind, multi-institutional trial that included a study population of 351 patients who were receiving radiotherapy was performed. The patients were treated 3 times per week with either placebo or EPO in the form of epoetin beta starting 10 to 14 days before and continuing through radiation therapy. Although haemoglobin levels increased in 82% of patients receiving EPO, compared with 15% in patients receiving placebo, the rate of loco-regional progression-free survival was significantly lower. In addition, the EPO group had a higher relative risk for loco-regional progression and death.

In the second trial involving 939 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (the BEST study: J. Clin. Oncol. 2005; 23:5960-5972; see table 2), those given Eprex epoetin alfa from Johnson & Johnson had a higher 4-month mortality rate and a lower 12-month survival rate than those on placebo. Both studies attempted to push the limits of hemoglobin levels beyond that permitted for marketing by the FDA—the recommended haemoglobin target for Aranesp was at the time up to 12 g/dL, while the labels for Epogen and Procrit recommended 10-12 g/dL. Henke treated men to target levels of at least 15 g/dL, while women were treated to at least 14 g/dL. The target level in the BEST study was 12-14 g/dL.

TABLE 2 Summary of the results from Leyland-Jones et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 2005; 23: 5960-5972) showing that 8.7% of patients from the EPO treatment arm died within 4 months of treatment, compared to 3.4% in the non-treated arm. Table 2 Causes of Death Among Patients Who Died Within 4 Months of Random Assignment (ITT population, N = 939) Epoetin Alfa Placebo (n = 469) (n = 470) No. of No. of Outcome Patients % Patients % Alive at 4 months 428 91.3 454 96.6 Died within 4 months 41 8.7 16 3.4 ITT = Intention to treat.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, New Brunswick, N.J.) have since reported data from the Phase IV CHOIR trial (N. Engl. J. Med. 2006 November 16; 355(20):2085-98.) that tested whether using Procrit epoetin alfa to get hemoglobin levels to 13.5 g/dL would improve outcomes vs. treating to 11.3 g/dL (within the 10-12 g/dL range on the drug's label). Patients in the higher haemoglobin is group had a significantly increased incidence of mortality and cardiovascular events. While this study was carried out in the renal disease space, the safety implications were further emphasized in a more recent study—DAHANCA10. In February 2007, Amgen disclosed that this independent study had been halted three months earlier after interim data showed that Aranesp plus radiation missed the primary endpoint of 3-year loco-regional control vs. radiation alone. The study also showed a non-significant increase in death in the Aranesp arm. DAHANCA10 explored whether the use of Aranesp to maintain a hemoglobin level of 14-15.5 g/dL during radiotherapy could improve loco-regional disease control in patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Safety signals also emerged from the use of Aranesp in the AoC space (study 103). In January 2007, Amgen reported that the risk/benefit profile of Aranesp was “at best neutral” in a Phase III trial in patients who had AoC and who were not receiving chemo- or radio-therapy. Here the data revealed significantly more deaths in Aranesp patients than in placebo patients. The trial, which treated patients to a haemoglobin level of 12-13 g/dL, also missed its primary endpoint of a significant reduction in transfusion frequency at 16 weeks. Study 103 enrolled patients with various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer and prostate cancer. Canadian researchers have published similar findings (J. Clin. Oncol. 2007 March 20; 25(9):1027-32). Here the authors showed that of the 70 advanced NSCLC patients with AoC, those receiving Procrit, had a significantly higher mortality rate than those receiving placebo. A synopsis of each of these studies is provided in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3 Summary of results from EPO safety studies highlighting survival issues. STUDY EPO type POPULATION DESIGN STATUS DAHANCA Aranesp HNSCC; Baseline Multicenter, Terminated early by DMC (SE20029001) Hb <= 14.5 open-label trial (after 522 of 600 planned of radiotherapy +/− patients enrolled) based on Aranesp lower LRC rates and increased deaths in the ESA arm at planned interim analysis; 522 of 600 planned pts; summary results December 2006; CSR anticipated September 2008 EPO-CAN-20 Eprex/Procrit NSCLC not Double-blind, Terminated early by DSMB receiving chemo; placebo for increased deaths in ESA baseline Hb <= 12 controlled, arm; 70 of 300 patients randomized enrolled; results published in (1:1) +/− Eprex abstract in 2004 and in the journal of clinical oncology March 2007 BEST (EPO- Eprex/Procrit Metastatic breast Randomised, Terminated in April 2002, INT-76) cancer double blind, after review of data in the first placebo 938 pts by the DMC, due to controlled evidence of excess mortality in the Eprex arm RTOG 9903 Eprex/Procrit HNSCC; baseline Open-label, Terminated early by DSMB Hb 9-12.5 randomized (1:1), for trend to poorer LRC and (female), 9-13.5 chemo/radiation +/− OS in EPO arm. 148 of 372 (male) procrit patients enrolled. Results published in abstract 2004 Study 103 Aranesp NSCLC, prostate, (Amgen) breast cancer

These clinical findings have led many investigators to suggest a possible role for ESA's in promoting tumour growth through stimulation of EPO receptor survival signalling in tumour to cells, and via the stimulation of angiogenesis. Implicit in these proposed activities is the notion that the EPO receptor can somehow confer survival advantage to cancer cells, a negative side effect. This, in turn, suggests that EPO receptor is both present and activated by EPO binding in such cells. Using real-time, quantitative RT-PCR, the EPOR gene has not only been shown to be strongly expressed in bone marrow (containing the EPO-responsive erythroid progenitors), but also at significant levels in normal tissues (e.g. kidney, heart, brain, endothelium, and smooth muscle). Moreover, EPOR transcript levels in breast, colon, ovary, prostate, lung, lymphoma, ileum, stomach, and kidney tumour tissues and tumour cell lines were no higher than those levels observed in normal tissue counterparts. These findings are in concordance other reports which demonstrated that EPOR transcript levels are basically equivalent in matched tumour and non-tumour samples from patients with lung, colon and prostate cancer. From the perspective of these data, it is questionable whether the EPOR gene might somehow provide selective advantage to tumour cells, at least via abnormal expression levels.

Therefore, there is a possible role for EPOR in mediating tumour cell survival in response to EPO. From a molecular perspective, the ability of cancer cells to subvert the EPO/EPOR system would not be surprising. A number of preclinical studies have demonstrated EPO-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI₃K)-Akt, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) signalling pathways in a variety of human cancers. Each of these signalling cascades has been associated with cellular functions that promote tumour progression. EPO stimulated not only chemotaxis of endothelial cells, together with migration and invasion of breast cancer and HNSCC cells, but also appears to induce cancer cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Moreover, pretreatment with rHuEPO protects some cancer cell lines from the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin. Thus, EPO/EPOR signalling appears to contribute to a wide variety of tumour-promoting functions in different cancer types.

Despite this evidence, the possible contribution of EPO/EPOR signalling to cancer progression is anything but straightforward. The influence of EPO/EPOR on different cancer types appears to be quite variable and remains incompletely understood. Studies have shown that EPO does not influence the proliferation of cancer cell lines. Rosti et al. (Haematologica 1993 July-August; 78(4):208-12.), for example, investigated the proliferative potential of rHuEPO by testing the effects of this factor on clonogenic growth and DNA synthesis in 10 different cell lines derived from haematologic malignancies and solid tumours. The cell lines K-562 and HEL were included in this study, both of which express EPO receptors. Results showed that rHuEPO had no effect on either colony growth or DNA synthesis (see Table 4).

TABLE 4 Showing the lack of effect of rHuEPO on the percentage of cells in S phase in human cell lines. Cell line EPO (IU/ml) K-562 37.0 ± 2.0 37.1 ± 2.1 36.8 ± 1.7 HEL 27.3 ± 1.9 26.2 ± 1.3 25.8 ± 1.4 HL-60 26.4 ± 1.8 24.8 ± 2.1 25.6 ± 2.0 PLB 985 30.0 ± 1.7 27.8 ± 2.3 28.2 ± 2.5 KG-1 14.2 ± 1.3 14.0 ± 1.7 15.5 ± 1.8 H69 15.3 ± 1.5 15.8 ± 1.3 14.9 ± 1.6 N417 16.6 ± 1.8 17.0 ± 1.4 16.3 ± 2.2 MCF-7 20.0 ± 0.9 21.1 ± 1.2 19.7 ± 1.0 OCUM-1 16.1 ± 2.1 17.3 ± 2.4 15.3 ± 2.3 GBL-HU12 19.2 ± 1.5 20.9 ± 1.6 19.1 ± 2.0

In a similar study, Westphal et al. (Tumori 2002 March-April; 88(2):150-9.) investigated the effects of EPO on more than 25 different benign and malignant human cell lines. Expression of EPO receptor mRNA and protein was analyzed with RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Cellular responses to various concentrations of EPO were evaluated using tritiated thymidine uptake, Northern blot analysis of c-fos expression, and tyrosine-kinase activity assay. EPO receptor mRNA and protein were identified in the majority of the tumour cell lines evaluated. Despite these findings, treatment with rHuEPO did not significantly influence the proliferation rate of EPO-receptor-positive tumour cell lines. Moreover, treatment with EPO neither affected the gene c-fos mRNA of those cell lines nor stimulated tyrosine-kinase activation. Based on their findings, the authors concluded that expression of the EPO receptor in tumour cells does not appear to be essential for growth and therefore should not have a deleterious effect in cancer patients.

Results by Lu et al. (J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 281, Issue 11, 7002-7011, 2006) establish that receptor activation is not simply accomplished by bringing two receptors into close proximity through disulfide linkages in the transmembrane or extracellular domains. Instead, the relative orientation of the two transmembrane domains of an EpoR dimer, rather than their proximity, determines the extent of receptor activation. More specifically, these authors propose that Epo binding to the inactive, symmetric EpoR dimer causes the repositioning of the two fibronectinIII domains to an asymmetric 120° relative orientation, which in turn changes the orientation of the transmembrane domains and intracellular domains, and juxtaposes the appended JAK2s to initiate the phosphorylation cascade. EPO mutants would not necessarily be expected to be capable of initiating EPOR-signalling, due to their inability to induce the correct relative conformation of the fibronectinIII domains. Interestingly, it appears that certain aspects of EPO function can be decoupled from EPOR activity. Leist et al. (Science 305, 239-242.) have shown that the haematopoietic and tissue-protective activities of Epo are distinct and separate, demonstrating for example that carbamylated Epo (CEpo) does not stimulate erythropoiesis, yet prevents tissue injury in a wide variety of in vivo and in vitro models.

EPO's efficacy in treating nervous system disease has been demonstrated in several experimental models of brain and spinal cord injury. As such, EPO has become a candidate for therapeutic neuro-protection. Notwithstanding, the use of EPO as a neuro-protectant raises several safety issues. Although recombinant EPO seems to be potentially safe at neuroprotective proven doses, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events can occur as a result of its bone marrow stimulating activities. Interestingly, as highlighted above, EPO's neuronal protective function appears molecularly separable from the haematopoietic activity, as carbamylated EPO and certain EPO mutants are neuroprotective but fail to induce haematopoiesis. Such mutants fail to bind EPOR (Leist et al. Science 305, 239-242).

EPO was for a long time considered to act solely on haematopoietic cells, a fact which led to its emergence as a leading treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia. However, emerging evidence has shown that EPO is expressed in a variety of tissue and cell types, including cancer, vascular endothelial, and neuronal cells. Expression of EPO is induced in response to hypoxia, an event mediated by the HIF-1 transcription factor. EPO is prototypically thought to exert its biological effects via binding to its cell surface receptor EPOR, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor and other intracellular proteins, including JAK2 and STAT5. The JAK/STAT pathway is utilized both in haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells (including brain cells) following binding of EPO to the EPO receptor. The recent findings of EPO-receptor expression in human breast and renal cancer cells, as well as in several tumour cell lines, have raised important questions in the oncology setting about a possible tumour-growth-promoting effect of rHuEPO on EPO-receptor-bearing tumours. This possibility has been borne out in several clinical trials. Interestingly, other studies have shown that certain EPO mutants which are cytoprotective but not longer able to induce haematopoiesis, function independently of EPOR. This suggests that another EPO receptor may exist which lacks EPOR's strict binding conformation requirements.

Ephrin and Ephrin Receptor Biology

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) receptors form the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Eph receptors are divided into two groups (Eph-A's and Eph-B's) based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and the distinct structural properties of the ephrin ligands (Eph Nomenclature Committee, 1997). About 16 ephrin receptor genes (EphA1-10, EphB1-6) have been identified in the vertebrate genome (Pasquale, Nat. Rev., Mol. Cell Biol. 6 (2005), pp. 462-475.), 14 of which are present in humans (FIG. 1) and other mammals (EphA1-8, EphA10, EphB1-4, EphB6).

Eph receptors are single-pass transmembrane proteins with highly conserved extracellular and intracellular domains. The former domains consists of an N-terminal ligand binding domain, a cysteine-rich EGF-like region and two fibronectin type III repeats (Yamaguchi and Pasquale, Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 14 (2004), pp. 288-296.). Intracellularly, the juxtamembrane region is followed by a tyrosine kinase domain, followed by a sterile-α-motif (SAM), and a type-II PSD-95/Disc large/ZO-1 (PDZ) binding motif at the carboxyl terminus (Kullander and Klein, Nat. Rev., Mol. Cell Biol. 3 (2002), pp. 475-486.). The tyrosine kinase domain of one receptor from each class (EphA10 and EphB6) lacks residues that are essential for catalytic activity. Eph receptor variants are generated by alternative splicing and their structures differ from the prototypical domain structure. The domain architecture of Eph receptors and Ephrins (A and B subclasses) are shown in FIG. 2.

Eph receptors can undergo cis-oriented homo- as well as heterodimerization (Freywald et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277 (2002), pp. 3823-3828.), which is mediated directly by the extracellular cysteine-rich region, the fibronectin type III repeats (Lackmann et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273 (1998), pp. 20228-20237.) and the SAM motif (Stapleton et al., Nat. Struct. Biol. 6 (1999), pp. 44-49. and Thanos et al., Science 283 (1999), pp. 833-836.) or indirectly through PDZ protein interactions (Fanning and Anderson, J. Clin. Invest. 103 (1999), pp. 767-772). Trans-oriented interactions typically occur with select ephrin molecules on opposing cells. In common with their receptors, the ephrins (named derived from Eph family receptor interacting proteins or ephoros) are divided into two distinct subclasses A and B. Ephrin-A ligands are GPI-anchored peripheral membrane molecules. In contrast, ephrin-B ligands are transmembrane molecules whose short cytoplasmic domain is capable of participating in various signalling events. The ephrin-A and ephrin-B molecules were initially described as selectively interacting with EphA and EphB receptors, respectively. However, there may be crosstalk between A and B family members. For example, ephrin-A5 is capable of binding EphB2, while EphA4 binds to ephrin-A and ephrin-B family members. Although interactions across classes are limited, within a class they are promiscuous, with multiple EphA receptors binding to a given ephrinA and vice versa.

While neither class of ephrins possesses a catalytic activity, both can activate signal transduction pathways after interaction with Eph receptors (reverse signalling). Reverse signalling activated by transmembrane ephrins includes tyrosine phosphorylation of their cytoplasmic tail and interaction with various signalling molecules. The mechanism by which GPI-linked ephrins stimulate downstream signalling is still unclear.

Signalling sometimes involves formation of signalling assemblies, a process that begins with a monovalent interaction (nanomolar affinity) between an Eph receptor and an ephrin on a juxtaposed cell. Crystallographic work has shown that the globular ephrin-binding domain of EphB2 contains a cavity that accommodates a hydrophobic protrusion from the ephrins. Structural changes occur upon binding. For example, EphB2 undergoes different structural rearrangements upon binding to ephrin-B2 or ephrin-A5.

A lower affinity binding interface is also present on the opposite side of the EphB2 ligand binding domain (Eph_(—)1b), with complementary interfaces also present in the Eph-receptor-binding domain of ephrin-B2. While only of micromolar binding affinity, the second interface can mediate the dimerization of two Eph-ephrin dimers into a tetramer that comprises two receptor and two ephrin molecules extending from adjacent cell surfaces. The lower-affinity interface contains important determinants of subclass specificity and is not engaged in the EphB2-ephrin-A5 complex.

Signalling is initiated upon transphosphorylation via correctly orientated kinase domains. Eph receptors become extensively phosphorylated upon activation by ephrins and via src-kinase association. Phosphorylation promotes conformational order on the activation segment of the kinase domain that favours substrate binding and also disrupts intra-molecular inhibitory interactions that occur between the juxtamembrane segment and the kinase domain. Src-family mediated phosphorylation of Eph receptors has also been shown to act in a similar manner.

Discussion

Working on the theory that the adverse effects of EPO seen in many cancer patients may be mediated by a receptor complex distinct from the prototypical EPO receptor (EPOR) homodimer, we initiated an in silky discovery project to try to identify a novel EPO receptor. Should such a novel EPO receptor species exist, we hypothesized that it will be responsible for mediating EPO-induced cell survival activity, as opposed to EPO mediated haematopoietic activity. Thus, we proposed the existence of at least two species of EPO receptor; the prototypical EPOR homodimer which is primarily responsible for EPO's haematopoietic activity, and a novel EPO receptor, termed NEPOR, which is primarily responsible for EPO's cytoprotective activities. The existence of such a novel EPO receptor is compelling for three main reasons. Firstly it allows the prediction of a cancer patients response to EPO. Presence of NEPOR on a tumour cell would imply a negative response to EPO, since binding of EPO by NEPOR would induce a cascade of survival signals within tumour cells and tissues, thus contributing to cancer progression and poorer patient survival. Thus, detection of NEPOR expression in a tumour provides a novel biomarker for stratify cancer patients as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present) or unsuitable (i.e. NEPOR present) for EPO treatment. A corollary of this model is a second interesting perspective. If NEPOR is capable of initiating survival signals on cancer cells, then it represents an excellent therapeutic target for treatment of cancers expressing this receptor. Thus, therapeutic molecules targeting and antagonizing the tissue protective function of this receptor should be efficacious anti-cancer agents. Finally, under conditions where induction of cell survival is favourable, such as in response to ischemic stroke, therapeutic molecules capable of activating NEPOR-mediated survival signals provide an efficacious path to treating a variety of neurological diseases. Definition of NEPOR's molecular composition therefore provides the molecular basis for designing such therapies.

It had previously been proposed that rHuEPO can promote tumour growth through stimulation of Epo receptor (EPOR) signalling in tumour cells, and via the stimulation of angiogenesis. Binding of EPO to EPOR homodimers was assumed to somehow confer survival advantage to cancer cells, leading to increased loco-regional progression and poorer survival rates in patients having a form of cancer. However, aware of the binding promiscuity of exogenously administered therapeutics, we were anxious to address the possibility as to whether another receptor might be responsible for the observed negative outcomes, either alone or in functional interaction with EPOR.

In an effort to identify such a novel cytoprotective EPO receptor, we developed an in silico based analysis approach specifically designed to mine the human proteome for candidate molecules. Combining the power of text-mining and in-depth bioinformatics analysis, this multi-evidence based approach successfully identified a putative novel EPO receptor. Subsequent lab-based validation supports these findings. Given its established physiological role, we propose that by impinging on this receptors activity, EPO can confer survival advantage to certain cells, including cancer cells and neurons. As a consequence, the expression of this protein on cancer cells can be used to stratify the suitability of cancer patients for EPO treatment. Patients with cancer associated NEPOR expression should be contraindicated for EPO treatment. However, a corollary of this finding is that these same individuals represent excellent candidates for treatment with antagonistic anti-NEPOR therapies. In addition, we also propose that by mediating EPO's cyto-protective activity, NEPOR represents an excellent therapeutic target for a variety of diseases involving tissue ischaemia (e.g. stroke).

Thus, in the first instance, the present disclosure provides a method for assessing a tumour for expression of NEPOR. The disclosure provides a method to stratify patients having a tumour as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present) or non-suitable (i.e., NEPOR present) for EPO treatment. The method disclosed comprises: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or shall receive erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of the NEPOR gene(s) (mRNA) and/or the presence of the NEPOR gene product (protein) from the isolated tissue, and (c) correlating the presence of an NEPOR gene expression product or the presence of NEPOR protein to a physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin. In a second instance, the present disclosure provides a method for treating patients possessing NEPOR positive tumors. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a method for treating stroke. Finally, by providing a means of comparing binding affinities of putative therapeutics to both NEPOR and EPOR, the present disclosure provides a method for screening for NEPOR specific therapeutics (both antagonistic therapeutics for cancer, and agonistic therapeutics for treatment of hypoxia associated disease such as stroke). Such therapeutics will lack the haematopoietic activity associated with EPOR binding and signaling.

NEPOR—Molecular Definition

We have identified a novel multimeric EPO receptor, which we term NEPOR. NEPOR comprises EPHB4 and/or Ephrin A1 molecules either as homodimers or heterodimers. Without being bound by theory, these components may also heterodimerize with the EPO receptor. A synopsis of the possible molecular compositions of NEPOR is provided in FIG. 3. Despite the room for molecular promiscuity involving other components from ephrin biology, EPH-B4 and/or EphrinA1 are components of a novel EPO receptor (NEPOR). As such NEPOR is primarily composed of EPH-B4 and Ephrin A1, either as a homodimers and/or in heterodimeric association with each other, or the EPO receptor. Without being bound by theory, given the strong functional association between EPH-B4 and Ephrin B2, NEPOR may also comprise Ephrin B2 disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO. 4 (amino acid sequence), SEQ ID NO. 8 (mRNA sequence), and SEQ ID NO. 12 (binding region).

Table 5 shows, without being bound by theory, the possible molecular composition of dimeric EPO receptors. The prototypical haematopoietic EPO receptor (EPOR) represents a homodimer of two EPOR (SEQ ID NO. 1) monomers (1). Our results suggest that a novel tissue protective EPO receptor dimer is comprised of Ephrin A1 (SEQ ID NO. 3) and EPH-B4 (SEQ ID NO.2). Possible scenarios are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Description Monomer 1 Monomer 2 1 EPOR SEQ ID NO. 1 SEQ ID NO. 1 2 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 1 SEQ ID NO. 2 3 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 1 SEQ ID NO. 3 4 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 2 SEQ ID NO. 2 5 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 2 SEQ ID NO. 3 6 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 3 SEQ ID NO, 3 7 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 1 SEQ ID NO. 4 8 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 2 SEQ ID NO. 4 9 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 3 SEQ ID NO. 4 10 NEPOR SEQ ID NO. 4 SEQ ID NO. 4 SEQ ID NO. 1 >EPOR MDHLGASLWPQVGSLCLLLAGAAWAPPPNLPDPKFESKAALLAARGPEELLCFTERLEDL VCFWEEAASAGVGPGNYSFSYQLEDEPWKLCRLHQAPTARGAVRFWCSLPTADTSSFVPL ELRVTAASGAPRYHRVIHINEVVLLDAPVGLVARLADESGHVVLRWLPPPETPMTSHIRY EVDVSAGNGAGSVQRVEILEGRTECVLSNLRGRTRYTFAVRARMAEPSFGGFWSAWSEPV SLLTPSDLDPLILTLSLILVVILVLLTVLALLSHRRALKQKIWPGIPSPESEFEGLFTTH KGNFQLWLYQNDGCLWWSPCTPFTEDPPASLEVLSERCWGTMQAVEPGTDDEGPLLEPVG SEHAQDTYLVLDKWLLPRNPPSEDLPGPGGSVDIVAMDEGSEASSCSSALASKPSPEGAS AASFEYTILDPSSQLLRPWTLCPELPPTPPHLKYLYLVVSDSGISTDYSSGDSQGAQGGL SDGPYSNPYENSLIPAAEPLPPSYVACS SEQ ID NO. 2 >EPH-B4 MELRVLLCWASLAAALEETLLNTKLETADLKWVTFPQVDGQWEELSGLDEEQHSVRTYEV CDVQRAPGQAHWLRTGWVPRRGAVHVYATLRFTMLECLSLPRAGRSCKETFTVFYYESDA DTATALTPAWMENPYIKVDTVAAEHLTRKRPGAEATGKVNVKTLRLGPLSKAGFYLAFQD QGACMALLSLHLFYKKCAQLTVNLTRFPETVPRELVVPVAGSCVVDAVPAPGPSPSLYCR EDGQWAEQPVTGCSCAPGFEAAEGNTKCRACAQGTFKPLSGEGSCQPCPANSHSNTIGSA VCQCRVGYFRARTDPRGAPCTTPPSAPRSVVSRLNGSSLHLEWSAPLESGGREDLTYALR CRECRPGGSCAPCGGDLTFDPGPRDLVEPWVVVRGLREDFTTITEVTALNGVSSLATGPV PFEPVNVTTDREVPPAVSDIRVTRSSPSSLSLAWAVPRAPSGAVLDYEVKYHEKGAEGPS SVRFLKTSENRAELRGLKRGASYLVQVRARSEAGYGPFGQEHHSQTQLDESEGWREQLAL IAGTAVVGVVLVLVVIVVAVLCLRKQSNGREAEYSDKHGQYLIGHGTKVYIDPFTYEDPN EAVREFAKEIDVSYVKIEEVIGAGEFGEVCRGRLKAPGKKESCVAIKTLKGGYTERQRRE FLSEASIMGQFEHPNIIRLEGVVTNSMPVMILTEFMENGALDSFLRLNDGQFTVIQLVGM LRGIASGMRYLAEMSYVHRDLAARNILVNSNLVCKVSDFGLSRFLEENSSDPTYTSSLGG KIPIRWTAPEAIAFRKFTSASDAWSYGIVMWEVMSFGERPYWDMSNQDVINAIEQDYRLP PPPDCPTSLHQLMLDCWQKDRNARPRFPQVVSALDKMIRNPASLKIVARENGGASHPLLD QRQPHYSAFGSVGEWLRAIKMGRYEESFAAAGFGSFELVSQISAEDLLRIGVTLAGHQKK ILASVQHMKSQAKPGTPGGTGGPAPQY SEQ ID NO. 3 >EphrinA1 MEFLWAPLLGLCCSLAAADRHTVFWNSSNPKFRNEDYTIHVQLNDYVDIICPHYEDHSVA DAAMEQYILYLVEHEEYQLCQPQSKDQVRWQCNRPSAKHGPEKLSEKFQRFTPFTLGKEF KEGHSYYYISKPIHQHEDRCLRLKVTVSGKITHSPQAHDNPQEKRLAADDPEVRVLHSIG HSAAPRLFPLAWTVLLLPLLLLQTP SEQ ID NO. 4 >EphrinB2 MAVRRDSVWKYCWGVLMVLCRTAISKSIVLEPIYWNSSNSKFLPGQGLVLYPQIGDKLDI ICPKVDSKTVGQYEYYKVYMVDKDQADRCTIKKENTPLLNCAKPDQDIKFTIKFQEFSPN LWGLEFQKNKDYYIISTSNGSLEGLDNQEGGVCQTRAMKILMKVGQDASSAGSTRNKDPT RRPELEAGTNGRSSTTSPFVKPNPGSSTDGNSAGHSGNNILGSEVALFAGIASGCIIFIV IIITLVVLLLKYRRRHRKHSPQHTTTLSLSTLATPKRSGNNNGSEPSDIIIPLRTADSVF CPHYEKVSGDYGHPVYIVQEMPPQSPANIYYKV

The present disclosure includes any splice variant of the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS 1-4 components possessing the extracellular EPO binding region (for EPH-B4 this region of proposed to encompass the two fibronectinIII domains; the oval structures adjacent to Epo in FIGS. 3B, D and F) and the intracellular signalling part, is also capable of mediating EPO's (and derivatives thereof) cyto-protective effect.

NEPOR: Prognostic Implications

The type I cytokine, Erythropoietin (EPO), possesses both haematopoietic and tissue protective activities. The present disclosure provides that the latter functionality is mediated via interactions of EPO with a novel EPO receptor, termed NEPOR. The model provides that binding of EPO to NEPOR receptor complexes, on NEPOR positive cancer cells, confers survival advantage to such cells. The implicit physiological outcome for patients possessing NEPOR positive cancers is therefore increased loco-regional cancer progression and poorer overall survival.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a diagnostic or prognostic test that can predict whether or not cancer patients administered EPO will respond negatively in terms of survival outcome. The prognostic test comprises determining NEPOR (i.e. EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1) in tumour tissue, or more particularly cancer cells. In another embodiment NEPOR component gene expression levels in tumour cells can be compared to baseline levels or levels in surrounding normal cells or tissue. Therefore, a comparative analysis looking at elevated or normal baseline expression levels of NEPOR component expression, using standard gene expression analysis methods (such as q-PCR and DNA microarray analyses) provides a diagnostic test that can determine whether or not administration of EPO to cancer patients will unwittingly enhance tumour cell survival (a negative outcome).

As stated, one method that can be used for comparing levels of gene expression of components of NEPOR and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 is Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This is a modification of PCR or polymerase chain reaction used to rapidly measure the quantity of DNA present in a tissue sample. Like other forms of polymerase chain reaction, the process is used to amplify nucleic acid samples, via the temperature-mediated enzyme DNA polymerase. PCR amplifies DNA exponentially, doubling the number of molecules present with each amplification cycle. The number of amplification cycles and the amount of PCR end-product should allow one to calculate the initial quantity of NEPOR-specific genetic material and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 genetic material in particular mRNA molecules using NEPOR-specific component sequences in particular and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 sequences for the two primers used for amplification.

In addition, gene expression analysis of NEPOR components and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 can be done with a microarray analysis containing a plurality of capture probes specific for sequences of the NEPOR complex in particular and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1. As EPO is proposed to stimulate survival of NEPOR positive cancer cells and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 positive cells, it is important to test all cancer patients for NEPOR status and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 status prior to and during EPO administration. This is best done with a microarray analysis for expression status of NEPOR component genes in tumour tissue and with mRNA samples taken from tumour tissue. Ascertaining the levels of endogenous tumour associated NEPOR (i.e. EPH-B4, and/or EphrinA1) expression, provide correlations as to patient prognosis/survival rate.

The present disclosure thus provides a method to stratify patients having a tumour as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 present) or non-suitable (i.e., NEPOR present and/or EPH-B4, and/or Ephrin A1 present) for EPO treatment. The method disclosed comprises: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or shall receive erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 from the isolated tissue, and (c) correlating the presence of these component gene expression products to a negative physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin.

SEQ ID NO. 5 >erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), mRNA ACTTAGAGGCGCCTGGTCGGGAAGGGCCTGGTCAGCTGCGTCCGGCGGAGGCAGCTGCTGACCCAGCTGT GGACTGTGCCGGGGGCGGGGGACGGAGGGGCAGGAGCCCTGGGCTCCCCGTGGCGGGGGCTGTATCATGG ACCACCTCGGGGCGTCCCTCTGGCCCCAGGTCGGCTCCCTTTGTCTCCTGCTCGCTGGGGCCGCCTGGGC GCCCCCGCCTAACCTCCCGGACCCCAAGTTCGAGAGCAAAGCGGCCTTGCTGGCGGCCCGGGGGCCCGAA GAGCTTCTGTGCTTCACCGAGCGGTTGGAGGACTTGGTGTGTTTCTGGGAGGAAGCGGCGAGCGCTGGGG TGGGCCCGGGCAACTACAGCTTCTCCTACCAGCTCGAGGATGAGCCATGGAAGCTGTGTCGCCTGCACCA GGCTCCCACGGCTCGTGGTGCGGTGCGCTTCTGGTGTTCGCTGCCTACAGCCGACACGTCGAGCTTCGTG CCCCTAGAGTTGCGCGTCACAGCAGCCTCCGGCGCTCCGCGATATCACCGTGTCATCCACATCAATGAAG TAGTGCTCCTAGACGCCCCCGTGGGGCTGGTGGCGCGGTTGGCTGACGAGAGCGGCCACGTAGTGTTGCG CTGGCTCCCGCCGCCTGAGACACCCATGACGTCTCACATCCGCTACGAGGTGGACGTCTCGGCCGGCAAC GGCGCAGGGAGCGTACAGAGGGTGGAGATCCTGGAGGGCCGCACCGAGTGTGTGCTGAGCAACCTGCGGG GCCGGACGCGCTACACCTTCGCCGTCCGCGCGCGTATGGCTGAGCCGAGCTTCGGCGGCTTCTGGAGCGC CTGGTCGGAGCCTGTGTCGCTGCTGACGCCTAGCGACCTGGACCCCCTCATCCTGACGCTCTCCCTCATC CTCGTGGTCATCCTGGTGCTGCTGACCGTGCTCGCGCTGCTCTCCCACCGCCGGGCTCTGAAGCAGAAGA TCTGGCCTGGCATCCCGAGCCCAGAGAGCGAGTTTGAAGGCCTCTTCACCACCCACAAGGGTAACTTCCA GCTGTGGCTGTACCAGAATGATGGCTGCCTGTGGTGGAGCCCCTGCACCCCCTTCACGGAGGACCCACCT GCTTCCCTGGAAGTCCTCTCAGAGCGCTGCTGGGGGACGATGCAGGCAGTGGAGCCGGGGACAGATGATG AGGGCCCCCTGCTGGAGCCAGTGGGCAGTGAGCATGCCCAGGATACCTATCTGGTGCTGGACAAATGGTT GCTGCCCCGGAACCCGCCCAGTGAGGACCTCCCAGGGCCTGGTGGCAGTGTGGACATAGTGGCCATGGAT GAAGGCTCAGAAGCATCCTCCTGCTCATCTGCTTTGGCCTCGAAGCCCAGCCCAGAGGGAGCCTCTGCTG CCAGCTTTGAGTACACTATCCTGGACCCCAGCTCCCAGCTCTTGCGTCCATGGACACTGTGCCCTGAGCT GCCCCCTACCCCACCCCACCTAAAGTACCTGTACCTTGTGGTATCTGACTCTGGCATCTCAACTGACTAC AGCTCAGGGGACTCCCAGGGAGCCCAAGGGGGCTTATCCGATGGCCCCTACTCCAACCCTTATGAGAACA GCCTTATCCCAGCCGCTGAGCCTCTGCCCCCCAGCTATGTGGCTTGCTCTTAGGACACCAGGCTGCAGAT GATCAGGGATCCAATATGACTCAGAGAACCAGTGCAGACTCAAGACTTATGGAACAGGGATGGCGAGGCC TCTCTCAGGAGCAGGGGCATTGCTGATTTTGTCTGCCCAATCCATCCTGCTCAGGAAACCACAACCTTGC AGTATTTTTAAATATGTATAGTTTTTTTG SEQ ID NO. 6 >EPH receptor B4 (EPHB4), mRNA TTCCAGCGCAGCTCAGCCCCTGCCCGGCCCGGCCCGCCCGGCTCCGCGCCGCAGTCTCCCTCCCTCCCGC TCCGTCCCCGCTCGGGCTCCCACCATCCCCGCCCGCGAGGAGAGCACTCGGCCCGGCGGCGCGAGCAGAG CCACTCCAGGGAGGGGGGGAGACCGCGAGCGGCCGGCTCAGCCCCCGCCACCCGGGGCGGGACCCCGAGG CCCCGGAGGGACCCCAACTCCAGCCACGTCTTGCTGCGCGCCCGCCCGGCGCGGCCACTGCCAGCACGCT CCGGGCCCGCCGCCCGCGCGCGCGGCACAGACGCGGGGCCACACTTGGCGCCGCCGCCCGGTGCCCCGCA CGCTCGCATGGGCCCGCGCTGAGGGCCCCGACGAGGAGTCCCGCGCGGAGTATCGGCGTCCACCCGCCCA GGGAGAGTCAGACCTGGGGGGGCGAGGGCCCCCCAAACTCAGTTCGGATCCTACCCGAGTGAGGCGGCGC CATGGAGCTCCGGGTGCTGCTCTGCTGGGCTTCGTTGGCCGCAGCTTTGGAAGAGACCCTGCTGAACACA AAATTGGAAACTGCTGATCTGAAGTGGGTGACATTCCCTCAGGTGGACGGGCAGTGGGAGGAACTGAGCG GCCTGGATGAGGAACAGCACAGCGTGCGCACCTACGAAGTGTGTGACGTGCAGCGTGCCCCGGGCCAGGC CCACTGGCTTCGCACAGGTTGGGTCCCACGGCGGGGCGCCGTCCACGTGTACGCCACGCTGCGCTTCACC ATGCTCGAGTGCCTGTCCCTGCCTCGGGCTGGGCGCTCCTGCAAGGAGACCTTCACCGTCTTCTACTATG AGAGCGATGCGGACACGGCCACGGCCCTCACGCCAGCCTGGATGGAGAACCCCTACATCAAGGTGGACAC GGTGGCCGCGGAGCATCTCACCCGGAAGCGCCCTGGGGCCGAGGCCACCGGGAAGGTGAATGTCAAGACG CTGCGTCTGGGACCGCTCAGCAAGGCTGGCTTCTACCTGGCCTTCCAGGACCAGGGTGCCTGCATGGCCC TGCTATCCCTGCACCTCTTCTACAAAAAGTGCGCCCAGCTGACTGTGAACCTGACTCGATTCCCGGAGAC TGTGCCTCGGGAGCTGGTTGTGCCCGTGGCCGGTAGCTGCGTGGTGGATGCCGTCCCCGCCCCTGGCCCC AGCCCCAGCCTCTACTGCCGTGAGGATGGCCAGTGGGCCGAACAGCCGGTCACGGGCTGCAGCTGTGCTC CGGGGTTCGAGGCAGCTGAGGGGAACACCAAGTGCCGAGCCTGTGCCCAGGGCACCTTCAAGCCCCTGTC AGGAGAAGGGTCCTGCCAGCCATGCCCAGCCAATAGCCACTCTAACACCATTGGATCAGCCGTCTGCCAG TGCCGCGTCGGGTACTTCCGGGCACGCACAGACCCCCGGGGTGCACCCTGCACCACCCCTCCTTCGGCTC CGCGGAGCGTGGTTTCCCGCCTGAACGGCTCCTCCCTGCACCTGGAATGGAGTGCCCCCCTGGAGTCTGG TGGCCGAGAGGACCTCACCTACGCCCTCCGCTGCCGGGAGTGCCGACCCGGAGGCTCCTGTGCGCCCTGC GGGGGAGACCTGACTTTTGACCCCGGCCCCCGGGACCTGGTGGAGCCCTGGGTGGTGGTTCGAGGGCTAC GTCCTGACTTCACCTATACCTTTGAGGTCACTGCATTGAACGGGGTATCCTCCTTAGCCACGGGGCCCGT CCCATTTGAGCCTGTCAATGTCACCACTGACCGAGAGGTACCTCCTGCAGTGTCTGACATCCGGGTGACG CGGTCCTCACCCAGCAGCTTGAGCCTGGCCTGGGCTGTTCCCCGGGCACCCAGTGGGGCTGTGCTGGACT ACGAGGTCAAATACCATGAGAAGGGCGCCGAGGGTCCCAGCAGCGTGCGGTTCCTGAAGACGTCAGAAAA CCGGGCAGAGCTGCGGGGGCTGAAGCGGGGAGCCAGCTACCTGGTGCAGGTACGGGCGCGCTCTGAGGCC GGCTACGGGCCCTTCGGCCAGGAACATCACAGCCAGACCCAACTGGATGAGAGCGAGGGCTGGCGGGAGC AGCTGGCCCTGATTGCGGGCACGGCAGTCGTGGGTGTGGTCCTGGTCCTGGTGGTCATTGTGGTCGCAGT TCTCTGCCTCAGGAAGCAGAGCAATGGGAGAGAAGCAGAATATTCGGACAAACACGGACAGTATCTCATC GGACATGGTACTAAGGTCTACATCGACCCCTTCACTTATGAAGACCCTAATGAGGCTGTGAGGGAATTTG CAAAAGAGATCGATGTCTCCTACGTCAAGATTGAAGAGGTGATTGGTGCAGGTGAGTTTGGCGAGGTGTG CCGGGGGCGGCTCAAGGCCCCAGGGAAGAAGGAGAGCTGTGTGGCAATCAAGACCCTGAAGGGTGGCTAC ACGGAGCGGCAGCGGCGTGAGTTTCTGAGCGAGGCCTCCATCATGGGCCAGTTCGAGCACCCCAATATCA TCCGCCTGGAGGGCGTGGTCACCAACAGCATGCCCGTCATGATTCTCACAGAGTTCATGGAGAACGGCGC CCTGGACTCCTTCCTGCGGCTAAACGACGGACAGTTCACAGTCATCCAGCTCGTGGGCATGCTGCGGGGC ATCGCCTCGGGCATGCGGTACCTTGCCGAGATGAGCTACGTCCACCGAGACCTGGCTGCTCGCAACATCC TAGTCAACAGCAACCTCGTCTGCAAAGTGTCTGACTTTGGCCTTTCCCGATTCCTGGAGGAGAACTCTTC CGATCCCACCTACACGAGCTCCCTGGGAGGAAAGATTCCCATCCGATGGACTGCCCCGGAGGCCATTGCC TTCCGGAAGTTCACTTCCGCCAGTGATGCCTGGAGTTACGGGATTGTGATGTGGGAGGTGATGTCATTTG GGGAGAGGCCGTACTGGGACATGAGCAATCAGGACGTGATCAATGCCATTGAACAGGACTACCGGCTGCC CCCGCCCCCAGACTGTCCCACCTCCCTCCACCAGCTCATGCTGGACTGTTGGCAGAAAGACCGGAATGCC CGGCCCCGCTTCCCCCAGGTGGTCAGCGCCCTGGACAAGATGATCCGGAACCCCGCCAGCCTCAAAATCG TGGCCCGGGAGAATGGCGGGGCCTCACACCCTCTCCTGGACCAGCGGCAGCCTCACTACTCAGCTTTTGG CTCTGTGGGCGAGTGGCTTCGGGCCATCAAAATGGGAAGATACGAAGAAAGTTTCGCAGCCGCTGGCTTT GGCTCCTTCGAGCTGGTCAGCCAGATCTCTGCTGAGGACCTGCTCCGAATCGGAGTCACTCTGGCGGGAC ACCAGAAGAAAATCTTGGCCAGTGTCCAGCACATGAAGTCCCAGGCCAAGCCGGGAACCCCGGGTGGGAC AGGAGGACCGGCCCCGCAGTACTGACCTGCAGGAACTCCCCACCCCAGGGACACCGCCTCCCCATTTTCC GGGGCAGAGTGGGGACTCACAGAGGCCCCCAGCCCTGTGCCCCGCTGGATTGCACTTTGAGCCCGTGGGG TGAGGAGTTGGCAATTTGGAGAGACAGGATTTGGGGGTTCTGCCATAATAGGAGGGGAAAATCACCCCCC AGCCACCTCGGGGAACTCCAGACCAAGGGTGAGGGCGCCTTTCCCTCAGGACTGGGTGTGACCAGAGGAA AAGGAAGTGCCCAACATCTCCCAGCCTCCCCAGGTGCCCCCCTCACCTTGATGGGTGCGTTCCCGCAGAC CAAAGAGAGTGTGACTCCCTTGCCAGCTCCAGAGTGGGGGGGCTGTCCCAGGGGGCAAGAAGGGGTGTCA GGGCCCAGTGACAAAATCATTGGGGTTTGTAGTCCCAACTTGCTGCTGTCACCACCAAACTCAATCATTT TTTTCCCTTGTAAATGCCCCTCCCCCAGCTGCTGCCTTCATATTGAAGGTTTTTGAGTTTTGTTTTTGGT CTTAATTTTTCTCCCCGTTCCCTTTTTGTTTCTTCCTTTTGTTTTTCTACCGTCCTTGTCATAACTTTGT GTTGGAGGGAACCTGTTTCACTATGGCCTCCTTTGCCCAAGTTGAAACAGGGGCCCATCATCATGTCTGT TTCCAGAACAGTGCCTTGGTCATCCCACATCCCCGGACCCCGCCTGGGACCCCCAAGCTGTGTCCTATGA AGGGGTGTGGGGTGAGGTAGTGAAAAGGGCGGTAGTTGGTGGTGGAACCCAGAAACGGACGCCGGTGCTT GGAGGGGTTCTTAAATTATATTTAAAAAAGTAACTTTTTGTATAAATAAAAGAAAATGGGACGTGTCCCA GCTCCAGGGGTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SEQ ID NO. 7 >Ephrin-A1 (EFNA1) mRNA GCCAGATCTGTGAGCCCAGCGCTGACTGCGCCGCGGAGAAAGCCAGTGGGAACCCAGACCCATAGGAGAC CCGCGTCCCCGCTCGGCCTGGCCAGGCCCCGCGCTATGGAGTTCCTCTGGGCCCCTCTCTTGGGTCTGTG CTGCAGTCTGGCCGCTGCTGATCGCCACACCGTCTTCTGGAACAGTTCAAATCCCAAGTTCCGGAATCAG GACTACACCATACATGTGCAGCTGAATGACTACGTGGACATCATCTGTCCGCACTATGAAGATCACTCTG TGGCAGACGCTGCCATGGAGCAGTACATACTGTACCTGGTGGAGCATGAGGAGTACCAGCTGTGCCAGCC CCAGTCCAAGGACCAAGTCCGCTGGCAGTGCAACCGGCCCAGTGCCAAGCATGGCCCGGAGAAGCTGTCT GAGAAGTTCCAGCGCTTCACACCTTTCACCCTGGGCAAGGAGTTCAAAGAAGGACACAGCTACTACTACA TCTCCAAACCCATCCACCAGCATGAAGACCGCTGCTTGAGGTTGAAGGTGACTGTCAGTGGCAAAATCAC TCACAGTCCTCAGGCCCATGACAATCCACAGGAGAAGAGACTTGCAGCAGATGACCCAGAGGTGCGGGTT CTACATAGCATCGGTCACAGTGCTGCCCCACGCCTCTTCCCACTTGCCTGGACTGTGCTGCTCCTTCCAC TTCTGCTGCTGCAAACCCCGTGAAGGTGTATGCCACACCTGGCCTTAAAGAGGGACAGGCTGAAGAGAGG GACAGGCACTCCAAACCTGTCTTGGGGCCACTTTCAGAGCCCCCAGCCCTGGGAACCACTCCCACCACAG GCATAAGCTATCACCTAGCAGCCTCAAAACGGGTCAGTATTAAGGTTTTCAACCGGAAGGAGGCCAACCA GCCCGACAGTGCCATCCCCACCTTCACCTCGGAGGGATGGAGAAAGAAGTGGAGACAGTCCTTTCCCACC ATTCCTGCCTTTAAGCCAAAGAAACAAGCTGTGCAGGCATGGTCCCTTAAGGCACAGTGGGAGCTGAGCT GGAAGGGGCCACGTGGATGGGCAAAGCTTGTCAAAGATGCCCCCTCCAGGAGAGAGCCAGGATGCCCAGA TGAACTGACTGAAGGAAAAGCAAGAAACAGTTTCTTGCTTGGAAGCCAGGTACAGGAGAGGCAGCATGCT TGGGCTGACCCAGCATCTCCCAGCAAGACCTCATCTGTGGAGCTGCCACAGAGAAGTTTGTAGCCAGGTA CTGCATTCTCTCCCATCCTGGGGCAGCACTCCCCAGAGCTGTGCCAGCAGGGGGGCTGTGCCAACCTGTT CTTAGAGTGTAGCTGTAAGGGCAGTGCCCATGTGTACATTCTGCCTAGAGTGTAGCCTAAAGGGCAGGGC CCACGTGTATAGTATCTGTATATAAGTTGCTGTGTGTCTGTCCTGATTTCTACAACTGGAGTTTTTTTAT ACAATGTTCTTTGTCTCAAAATAAAGCAATGTGTTTTTTCGGACATGCTTTTCTGCCACTCCATATTAAA ACATATGACCATTGAGTCCCTGCTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SEQ ID NO. 8 >ephrin-B2 (EFNB2), mRNA GCGCGGAGCTGGGAGTGGCTTCGCCATGGCTGTGAGTAGGGACTCCGTGTGGAAGTACTGCTGGGGTGTT TTGATGGTTTTATGCAGAACTGCGATTTCCAAATCGATAGTTTTAGAGCCTATCTATTGGAATTCCTCGA ACTCCAAATTTCTACCTGGACAAGGACTGGTACTATACCCACAGATAGGAGACAAATTGGATATTATTTG CCCCAAAGTGGACTCTAAAACTGTTGGCCAGTATGAATATTATAAAGTTTATATGGTTGATAAAGACCAA GCAGACAGATGCACTATTAAGAAGGAAAATACCCCTCTCCTCAACTGTGCCAAACCAGACCAAGATATCA AATTCACCATCAAGTTTCAAGAATTCAGCCCTAACCTCTGGGGTCTAGAATTTCAGAAGAACAAAGATTA TTACATTATATCTACATCAAATGGGTCTTTGGAGGGCCTGGATAACCAGGAGGGAGGGGTGTGCCAGACA AGAGCCATGAAGATCCTCATGAAAGTTGGACAAGATGCAAGTTCTGCTGGATCAACCAGGAATAAAGATC CAACAAGACGTCCAGAACTAGAAGCTGGTACAAATGGAAGAAGTTCGACAACAAGTCCCTTTGTAAAACC AAATCCAGGTTCTAGCACAGACGGCAACAGCGCCGGACATTCGGGGAACAACATCCTCGGTTCCGAAGTG GCCTTATTTGCAGGGATTGCTTCAGGATGCATCATCTTCATCGTCATCATCATCACGCTGGTGGTCCTCT TGCTGAAGTACCGGAGGAGACACAGGAAGCACTCGCCGCAGCACACGACCACGCTGTCGCTCAGCACACT GGCCACACCCAAGCGCAGCGGCAACAACAACGGCTCAGAGCCCAGTGACATTATCATCCCGCTAAGGACT GCGGACAGCGTCTTCTGCCCTCACTACGAGAAGGTCAGCGGGGACTACGGGCACCCGGTGTACATCGTCC AGGAGATGCCCCCGCAGAGCCCGGCGAACATTTACTACAAGGTCTGAGAGGGACCCTGGTGGTACCTGTG CTTTCCCAGAGGACACCTAATGTCCCGATGCCTCCCTTGAGGGTTTGAGAGCCCGCGTGCTGGAGAATTG ACTGAAGCACAGCACCGGGGGAGAGGGACACTCCTCCTCGGAAGAGCCCGTCGCGCTGGACAGCTTACCT AGTCTTGTAGCATTCGGCCTTGGTGAACACACACGCTCCCTGGAAGCTGGAAGACTGTGCAGAAGACGCC CATTCGGACTGCTGTGCCGCGTCCCACGTCTCCTCCTCGAAGCCATGTGCTGCGGTCACTCAGGCCTCTG CAGAAGCCAAGGGAAGACAGTGGTTTGTGGACGAGAGGGCTGTGAGCATCCTGGCAGGTGCCCCAGGATG CCACGCCTGGAAGGGCCGGCTTCTGCCTGGGGTGCATTTCCCCCGCAGTGCATACCGGACTTGTCACACG GACCTCGGGCTAGTTAAGGTGTGCAAAGATCTCTAGAGTTTAGTCCTTACTGTCTCACTCGTTCTGTTAC CCAGGGCTCTGCAGCACCTCACCTGAGACCTCCACTCCACATCTGCATCACTCATGGAACACTCATGTCT GGAGTCCCCTCCTCCAGCCGCTGGCAACAACAGCTTCAGTCCATGGGTAATCCGTTCATAGAAATTGTGT TTGCTAACAAGGTGCCCTTTAGCCAGATGCTAGGCTGTCTGCGAAGAAGGCTAGGAGTTCATAGAAGGGA GTGGGGCTGGGGAAAGGGCTGGCTGCAATTGCAGCTCACTGCTGCTGCCTCTGAAACAGAAAGTTGGAAA GGAAAAAAGAAAAAAGCAATTAGGTAGCACAGCACTTTGGTTTTGCTGAGATCGAAGAGGCCAGTAGGAG ACACGACAGCACACACAGTGGATTCCAGTGCATGGGGAGGCACTCGCTGTTATCAAATAGCGATGTGCAG GAAGAAAAGCCCCTCTTCATTCCGGGGAACAAAGACGGGTATTGTTGGGAAAGGAACAGGCTTGGAGGGA AGGGAGAAAGTAGGCCGCTGATGATATATTCGGGCAGGACTGTTGTGGTACTGGCAATAAGATACACAGC TCCGAGCTGTAGGAGAGTCGGTCTGCTTTGGATGATTTTTTAAGCAGACTCAGCTGCTATACTTATCACA TTTTATTAAACACAGGGAAAGCATTTAGGAGAATAGCAGAGAGCCAAATCTGACCTAAAAGTTGAAAAGC CAAAGGTCAAACAGGCTGTAATTCCATCATCATCGTTGTTATTAAAGAATCCTTATCTATAAAAGGTAGG TCAGATCCCCCTCCCCCCAGGTTCCTCCTTCCCCTCCCGATTGAGCCTTACGACACTTTGGTTTATGCGG TGCTGTCCGGGTGCCAGGGCTGCAGGGTCGGTACTGATGGAGGCTGCAGCGCCCGGTGCTCTGTGTCAAG GTGAAGCACATACGGCAGACCTCTTAGAGTCCTTAAGACGGAAGTAAATTATGATGTCCAGGGGGAGAAG GAAGATAGGACGTATTTATAATAGGTATATAGAACACAAGGGATATAAAATGAAAGATTTTTACTAATAT ATATTTTAAGGTTGCACACAGTACACACCAGAAGATGTGAAATTCATTTGTGGCAATTAAGTGGTCCCAA TGCTCAGCGCTTAAAAAAACAAATTGGACAGCTACTTCTGGGAAAAACAACATCATTCCAAAAAGAACAA TAATGAGAGCAAATGCAAAAATAACCAAGTCCTCCGAAGGCATCTCACGGAACCGTAGACTAGGAAGTAC GAGCCCCACAGAGCAGGAAGCCGATGTGACTGCATCATATATTTAACAATGACAAGATGTTCCGGCGTTT ATTTCTGCGTTGGGTTTTCCCTTGCCTTATGGGCTGAAGTGTTCTCTAGAATCCAGCAGGTCACACTGGG GGCTTCAGGTGACGATTTAGCTGTGGCTCCCTCCTCCTGTCCTCCCCCGCACCCCCTCCCTTCTGGGAAA CAAGAAGAGTAAACAGGAAACCTACTTTTTATGTGCTATGCAAAATAGACATCTTTAACATAGTCCTGTT ACTATGGTAACACTTTGCTTTCTGAATTGGAAGGGAAAAAAAATGTAGCGACAGCATTTTAAGGTTCTCA GACCTCCAGTGAGTACCTGCAAAAATGAGTTGTCACAGAAATTATGATCCTCTATTTCCTGAACCTGGAA ATGATGTTGGTCCAAAGTGCGTGTGTGTATGTGTGAGTGGGTGCGTGGTATACATGTGTACATATATGTA TAATATATATCTACAATATATATTATATATATCTATATCATATTTCTGTGGAGGGTTGCCATGGTAACCA GCCACAGTACATATGTAATTCTTTCCATCACCCCAACCTCTCCTTTCTGTGCATTCATGCAAGAGTTTCT TGTAAGCCATCAGAAGTTACTTTTAGGATGGGGGAGAGGGGCGAGAAGGGGAAAAATGGGAAATAGTCTG ATTTTAATGAAATCAAATCTATGTATCATCAGTTGGCTACGTTTTGGTTCTATGCTAAACTGTGAAAAAT CAGATGAATTGATAAAAGAGTTCCCTGCAACCAATTGAAAAGTGTTCTGTGCGTCTGTTTTGTGTCTGGT GCAGAATATGACAATCTACCAACTGTCCCTTTGTTTGAAGTTGGTTTAGCTTTGGAAAGTTACTGTAAAT GCCTTGCTTGTATGATCGTCCCTGGTCACCCGACTTTGGAATTTGCACCATCATGTTTCAGTGAAGATGC TGTAAATAGGTTCAGATTTTACTGTCTATGGATTTGGGGTGTTACAGTAGCCTTATTCACCTTTTTAATA AAAATACACATGAAAACAAGAAAGAAATGGCTTTTCTTACCCAGATTGTGTACATAGAGCAATGTTGGTT TTTTATAAAGTCTAAGCAAGATGTTTTGTATAAAATCTGAATTTTGCAATGTATTTAGCTACAGCTTGTT TAACGGCAGTGTCATTCCCCTTTGCACTGTAATGAGGAAAAAATGGTATAAAAGGTTGCCAAATTGCTGC ATATTTGTGCCGTAATTATGTACCATGAATATTTATTTAAAATTTCGTTGTCCAATTTGTAAGTAACACA GTATTATGCCTGAGTTATAAATATTTTTTTCTTTCTTTGTTTTATTTTAATAGCCTGTCATAGGTTTTAA ATCTGCTTTAGTTTCACATTGCAGTTAGCCCCAGAAAATGAAATCCGTGAAGTCACATTCCACATCTGTT TCAAACTGAATTTGTTCTTAAAAAAATAAAATATTTTTTTCCTATGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Detection of NEPOR component mRNA (SEQ ID NOs 5-8) should preferentially be performed using probes complementary to the sub-region of SEQ ID NO's 5-8, encoding the EPO binding domain and is particular SEQ Id NO. 6 and/or 7 encoding EPH-B4 and Ephrin A1. This implies for EPH-B4, probes complementary to SEQ ID NO. 10.; for Ephrin A1, probes complementary to SEQ ID NO. 11.

SEQ ID NO. 9 >epor_epobinding_coding region AGCAAAGCGGCCTTGCTGGCGGCCCGGGGGCCCGAAGAGCTTCTGTGCTTCACCGAGCGGTTGGAGGACTTGGTGTG TTTCTGGGAGGAAGCGGCGAGCGCTGGGGTGGGCCCGGGCAACTACAGCTTCTCCTACCAGCTCGAGGATGAGCCAT GGAAGCTGTGTCGCCTGCACCAGGCTCCCACGGCTCGTGGTGCGGTGCGCTTCTGGTGTTCGCTGCCTACAGCCGAC ACGTCGAGCTTCGTGCCCCTAGAGTTGCGCGTCACAGCAGCCTCCGGCGCTCCGCGATATCACCGTGTCATCCACAT CAATGAAGTAGTGCTCCTAGACGCCCCCGTGGGGCTGGTGGCGCGGTTGGCTGACGAGAGCGGCCACGTAGTGTTGC GCTGGCTCCCGCCGCCTGAGACACCCATGACGTCTCACATCCGCTACGAGGTGGACGTCTCGGCCGGCAACGGCGCA GGGAGCGTACAGAGGGTGGAGATCCTGGAGGGCCGCACCGAGTGTGTGCTGAGCAACCTGCGGGGCCGGACGCGCTA CACCTTCGCCGTCCGCGCGCGTATGGCTGAGCCGAGCTTCGGCGGCTTCTGGAGCGCCTGGTCGGAGCCTGTGTCGC TGCTGACGCCTAGCGACCTGGACCCC SEQ ID NO. 10 >ephb4_epobinding_coding region CCTTCGGCTCCGCGGAGCGTGGTTTCCCGCCTGAACGGCTCCTCCCTGCACCTGGAATGGAGTGCCCCCCTGGAGTC TGGTGGCCGAGAGGACCTCACCTACGCCCTCCGCTGCCGGGAGTGCCGACCCGGAGGCTCCTGTGCGCCCTGC GGGGGAGACCTGACTTTTGACCCCGGCCCCCGGGACCTGGTGGAGCCCTGGGTGGTGGTTCGAGGGCTACGTCCTGA CTTCACCTATACCTTTGAGGTCACTGCATTGAACGGGGTATCCTCCTTAGCCACGGGGCCCGTCCCATTTGAGCCTG TCAATGTCACCACTGACCGAGAGGTACCTCCTGCAGTGTCTGACATCCGGGTGACGCGGTCCTCACCCAGCAGCTTG AGCCTGGCCTGGGCTGTTCCCCGGGCACCCAGTGGGGCTGTGCTGGACTACGAGGTCAAATACCATGAGAAGGGCGC CGAGGGTCCCAGCAGCGTGCGGTTCCTGAAGACGTCAGAAAACCGGGCAGAGCTGCGGGGGCTGAAGCGGGGAGCCA GCTACCTGGTGCAGGTACGGGCGCGCTCTGAGGCCGGCTACGGGCCCTTCGGCCAGGAACATCACAGCCAGACCCAA CTGGATGAGAGCGAGGGCTGGCGGGAGCAGCTGGCCCTG SEQ ID NO. 11 >ephrinA1_epobinding_coding region CTGGCCGCTGCTGATCGCCACACCGTCTTCTGGAACAGTTCAAATCCCAAGTTCCGGAATGAGGACTACACCATACA TGTGCAGCTGAATGACTACGTGGACATCATCTGTCCGCACTATGAAGATCACTCTGTGGCAGACGCTGCCATGGAGC AGTACATACTGTACCTGGTGGAGCATGAGGAGTACCAGCTGTGCCAGCCCCAGTCCAAGGACCAAGTCCGCTGGCAG TGCAACCGGCCCAGTGCCAAGCATGGCCCGGAGAAGCTGTCTGAGAAGTTCCAGCGCTTCACACCTTTCACCCTGGG CAAGGAGTTCAAAGAAGGACACAGCTACTACTACATCTCCAAACCCATCCACCAGCATGAAGACCGCTGCTTGAGGT TGAAGGTGACTGTCAGTGGCAAAATCACTCAC SEQ ID NO. 12 >ephrinb2_epobinding_coding region TCCAAATCGATAGTTTTAGAGCCTATCTATTGGAATTCCTCGAACTCCAAATTTCTACCTGGACAAGGACTGGTACT ATACCCACAGATAGGAGACAAATTGGATATTATTTGCCCCAAAGTGGACTCTAAAACTGTTGGCCAGTATGAATATT ATAAAGTTTATATGGTTGATAAAGACCAAGCAGACAGATGCACTATTAAGAAGGAAAATACCCCTCTCCTCAACTGT GCCAAACCAGACCAAGATATCAAATTCACCATCAAGTTTCAAGAATTCAGCCCTAACCTCTGGGGTCTAGAATTTCA GAAGAACAAAGATTATTACATTATATCTACATCAAATGGGTCTTTGGAGGGCCTGGATAACCAGGAGGGAGGGGTGT GCCAGACAAGAGCCATGAAGATCCTCATGAAAGTTGGACAA

The determination of the presence of the Ephrin A1 and/or the determination of the presence of the EPH-B4 gene product (mRNA) may be done by using a hybridization technique or an amplification technique. It is preferred that the technique is selected from the group of, real-time-PCR, northern-blot analysis, reverse transcription and amplification, zymography, ligase-chain-reaction, NASBA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) and combinations thereof.

Specifically, the individual is a cancer patient who is to be treated with erythropoietin or is being treated with erythropoietin. Preferably, the negative physiological effect is poorer patient survival due to enhanced tumor progression. Preferably, the presence of a higher level of NEPOR component genes (mRNA) and/or the presence of NEPOR component gene expression products (proteins) and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 on tumor tissues is indicative of poorer survival prognosis upon treatment with erythropoietin.

Preferably, the determination of the presence of the NEPOR dimer complex is done by detecting the respective NEPOR proteins with an immunoassay. Also peptides thereof may be detected. The immunoassay is selected from the group of immunoprecipitation, a protein array or binding to a mass microbalance instrument (for example, Q-Sense or Attana), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or fluorescent immunoassay, a chemiluminescent assay, an agglutination assay, nephelometric assay, turbidimetric assay, a Western blot, a competitive immunoassay, a noncompetitive immunoassay, a homogeneous immunoassay a heterogeneous immunoassay, a bioassay and a reporter-assay such as a luciferase-assay. Preferably, the immunoassay is an ELISA. Preferably, the anti-NEPOR antibody and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 antibody is a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody, for example selected from—or similar to—the antibodies listed in Table 6.

Preferably, detection of NEPOR component proteins should preferentially be performed using antibodies detecting the sub-regions of SEQ ID NOs 6 and 7, representing the EPO binding domain. This implies for EPH-B4, antibodies specific to SEQ ID NO. 14.; for Ephrin A1, antibodies specific to SEQ ID NO. 15.

SEQ ID NO. 13 >epor_epobinding_region SKAALLAARGPEELLCFTERLEDLVCFWEEAASAGVGPGNYSFSYQLEDEPWKLCRLHQAPTARGAVRFWCSLPTAD TSSFVPLELRVTAASGAPRYHRVIHINEVVLLDAPVGLVARLADESGHVVLRWLPPPETPMTSHIRYEVDVSAGNGA GSVQRVEILEGRTECVLSNLRGRTRYTFAVRARMAEPSFGGFWSAWSEPVSLLTPSDLDP SEQ ID NO. 14 >ephb4_epobinding_region PSAPRSVVSRLNGSSLHLEWSAPLESGGREDLTYALRCRECRPGGSCAPCGGDLTFDPGPRDLVEPWVVVRGLRPDF TYTFEVTALNGVSSLATGPVPFEPVNVTTDREVPPAVSDIRVTRSSPSSLSLAWAVPRAPSGAVLDYEVKYHEKGAE GPSSVRFLKTSENRAELRGLKRGASYLVQVRARSEAGYGPFGQEHHSQTQLDESEGWREQLAL SEQ ID NO. 15 >ephrinA1_epobinding_region LAAADRHTVFWNSSNPKFRNEDYTIHVQLNDYVDIICPHYEDHSVADAAMEQYILYLVEHEEYQLCQPQSKDQVRWQ CNRPSAKHGPEKLSEKFQRFTPFTLGKEFKEGHSYYYISKPIHQHEDRCLRLKVTVSGKITH SEQ ID NO. 16 >ephrinb2_epobinding_region SKSIVLEPIYWNSSNSKFLPGQGLVLYPQIGDKLDIICPKVDSKTVGQYEYYKVYMVDKDQADRCTIKKENTPLLNC AKPDQDIKFTIKFQEFSPNLWGLEFQKNKDYYIISTSNGSLEGLDNQEGGVCQTRAMKILMKVGQ

Preferably, the individual is a cancer patient who is to be treated with erythropoietin or is being treated with erythropoietin. The tissue sample may be selected from the group of biological tissues and fluids such as blood, lymph, urine, cerebral fluid. The tissue sample may also be a tumor biopsy sample. It is preferred that the tissue sample is from the cancer tissue or circulating cells derived from same.

It is preferred that the cancer of the cancer patient is selected from the group of, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, small intestine cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), malignant melanoma, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer, vulvar cancer, Penile cancer, testicular cancer, thymus cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, eye cancer, adrenal gland cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, appendix cancer, adenoid cancer, bile duct cancer, urethral cancer, spinal cancer, Ewing's family of tumors, extragonal germ cell cancer, extra hepatic bile duct cancer, fallopian tube cancer, soft tissue cancers, bone cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, anal cancer, malignant mesothelioma, vaginal cancer skin cancer, central nervous system cancer (craniopharyngioma), pleuropulmonary blastoma, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis and ureter, pituitary gland cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, and salivary gland cancer. It is particularly preferred that the cancer is selected from the group of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer and bladder cancer.

NEPOR and Disease Intervention and Therapy Design/Screening.

Without being bound by theory, NEPOR is proposed to mediate the cyto-protective effects of EPO and its variants. Thus, EPO and variants that have been shown to possess cyto-protective (but not haematopoietic) activity can affect NEPOR function. Therefore, the present disclosure provides knowledge of NEPOR's composition that can be used to optimize the structure and efficacy of such therapeutic molecules (that is, better manage the structure-activity relationship or SAR of the EPO pharmacophore). Moreover, the present disclosure provides knowledge of NEPOR's composition that can be used to identify novel NEPOR regulating compounds. For example, in diseases associated with hypoxic conditions (e.g., stroke, heart attack), NEPOR binding compounds of enhanced efficacy can be developed to mimic the effects of EPO on NEPOR. Similarly, NEPOR specific antagonists (such as those molecules that bind the active site of NEPOR yet do not transducer signal are antagonists of EPO function. Such EPO antagonist agents, when concomitantly administered with EPO, can allow for EPO effects to improve haematopoiesis (that is, treat the anaemia) yet prevent the side effect of promoting tumour cell growth, survival and angiogenesis in NEPOR positive cancers such as HNSCC. Moreover, contrasting the relative activity of compounds to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex in comparison to the EPOR receptor homodimer provides for generating NEPOR specific/directed therapies.

Definition of NEPOR provides methods for identifying therapeutic molecules that modulate NEPOR's tissue protective signalling activity. This comprises: (a) contacting a test compound with the NEPOR receptor complex and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 and an EPOR homodimer complex; (b) measuring and comparing the level of tissue protective activity initiated by NEPOR activation with the activation of EPOR homodimer signalling; (c) identifying a test compound which increases or decreases the level of tissue protective NEPOR complex activity as compared to the level of EPOR complex activation; and (d) assaying the identified therapeutics for tissue protective activity mediated via NEPOR, but lack of EPOR activation and (e) assaying the identified therapeutics for NEPOR inhibitory activity. The method is useful for identifying therapeutics that modulates the interaction between a tissue protective NEPOR complex and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 and the EPO ligand. The method is furthermore useful for identifying therapies for treating diseases of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system which have primarily neurological or psychiatric symptoms, ophthalmic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cardiopulmonary diseases, respiratory diseases, kidney, urinary and reproductive diseases, bone diseases, skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and endocrine and metabolic abnormalities and cancer.

More specifically, identification of NEPOR provides a method identifying (I1) a compound that modulates the tissue protective activity of NEPOR, comprising:

-   -   (a) contacting a test compound with a tissue protective NEPOR         receptor complex (N) and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 or tissue         protective cytokine receptor complex-expressing cell; measuring         the level of the activity of (N) in the cell; identifying a test         compound that increases or decreases the level of activity         of (N) as compared to the level of activity of (N) measured in         the absence of the test compound; and assaying the identified         test compound for tissue protective activity;     -   (b) contacting a test compound with a cell that is recombinantly         engineered to express (N), where the cell or the recombinant         cell is transformed with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide         sequence that is functionally linked to a promoter and encodes         EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 polypeptides; measuring the level of         activity of (N) in the cell; and     -   (c) contacting a test compound with a tissue protective NEPOR         receptor complex-expressing cell, where the cell is transformed         with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that         encodes a reporter gene functionally linked to regulatory         element associated with the activity of (N); identifying a test         compound that increases or decreases the level of reporter gene         expression relative to the level of reporter gene expression         measured in the absence of the test compound; and assaying the         identified test compound for a tissue protective activity.

The present disclosure further provides a method for identifying (I2) a compound that binds to (N), comprising:

-   -   (a) contacting (N) with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor         complex ligand and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 ligand attached to         a first label, and an equivalent amount of a test compound         attached to a second label under conditions conducive to         binding, removing unbound material from (N), and detecting the         level of the first and second labels, where if the second label         is present the compound binds (N) and if the level of the first         label decreases relative to the level of the first label when         the labelled ligand is contacted with (N) under conditions         conducive to binding in the absence of a test compound after         removal of unbound material, then a compound that binds to (N)         is identified; or     -   (b) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding tissue         protective receptor NEPOR complex fragment comprising at least         one EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain         fused to a Fc fragment attached to a solid support, removing         unbound test compounds from the solid support, and identifying         the compound attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor         complex fragment, such that a compound bound to the solid         support is identified as a compound that binds to a tissue         protective NEPOR receptor complex; and identifying (I3) a         compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR         receptor complex ligand to (N), or compound that modulates the         interaction between (N) and tissue protective cytokine receptor         complex ligand, involves (i) contacting a tissue protective         NEPOR receptor complex ligand with (N) in the presence of one or         more test compounds under conditions conducive to binding, and         measuring the amount of tissue protective cytokine receptor         complex ligand bound to (N).

The present disclosure further provides novel tissue protective NEPOR receptor complexes in particular EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 containing complexes that can be used to provide an in vitro screening assay for NEPOR specific therapies; by measuring the binding of test compounds to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex in comparison to EPOR homodimer complexes. The test compound is labelled and binding of the labelled test compound to the receptor complexes detailed in FIG. 10 is measured by detecting the label attached to the test compound. Alternatively, a label free detection approach such as surface plasmon resonance may be employed. Such an approach can provide for novel neuroprotective therapies (i.e. NEPOR agonists) which lack haematopoietic activity. Such an approach can also provide for novel onco-therapies (i.e. NEPOR antagonists i.e. at least a and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 agonist) which do not inhibit haematopoiesis. The nature of such screening arrays involving recombinant receptor constructs is demonstrated in FIG. 10 (in the exemplified case as Fc constructs).

Use

(I1) is useful for identifying a compound that modulates NEPOR's tissue protective activity. (I2) is useful for identifying a compound that binds to NEPOR. (I3) is useful for identifying a compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to (N), or compound that modulates the interaction between (N) and tissue protective cytokine receptor complex ligand (claimed). The compounds identified using (I1)-(I3) are useful for treating various conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems (e.g., hypoxia, and/or ischemia, epilepsy, chronic seizure disorders, neurotoxin poisoning, septic shock, anaphylactic shock), neuropsychologic disorders (senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dermentia, multiple sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntington's disease), inflammatory diseases (e.g., chronic bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, encephalitis, meningitis, polymyositis), opthalamic diseases (e.g., angiitis, retinal ischemia), cardiovascular diseases (e.g., myocardial infraction, myocarditis), cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, pulmonary thrombosis), respiratory diseases, kidney, urinary, and reproductive diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis, diabetes, autoimmune diseases), bone diseases (e.g., osteopenia, Paget's disease), gastrointestinal diseases and endocrine and metabolic abnormalities.

The compounds identified using (I1)-(I3) are also useful for treating NEPOR positive cancers in particular and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 positive cancers including, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, small intestine cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), malignant melanoma, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer, vulvar cancer, Penile cancer, testicular cancer, thymus cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, eye cancer, adrenal gland cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, appendix cancer, adenoid cancer, bile duct cancer, urethral cancer, spinal cancer, Ewing's family of tumors, extragonal germ cell cancer, extra hepatic bile duct cancer, fallopian tube cancer, soft tissue cancers, bone cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, anal cancer, malignant mesothelioma, vaginal cancer skin cancer, central nervous system cancer (craniopharyngioma), pleuropulmonary blastoma, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis and ureter, pituitary gland cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, and salivary gland cancer. It is particularly preferred that the cancer is selected from the group of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer and bladder cancer.

NEPOR in Oncology Therapy

The hypothesis of the present disclosure is that EPO results in poorer survival outcomes (at least in some cancers) because of its effects on NEPOR activity i.e. in particular EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 activity. Therefore, treatment of these NEPOR positive patients with a NEPOR targeted therapy is a prudent path to disease intervention. Specific approaches to antagonising NEPOR mediated survival signals include, for example:

-   -   a) NEPOR specific antagonistic antibodies. Such antibodies block         and antagonise the extracellular regions of the molecule         specifically associated with the mediation of NEPOR's         cyto-protective activity.     -   b) NEPOR specific small-molecules. Such small molecules block         and antagonise the extracellular regions of the molecule         specifically associated with the mediation of NEPOR's         cytoprotective activity.     -   c) high-affinity peptides which specifically target NEPOR to         block and antagonise the is mediation of EPO's cytoprotective         activity.     -   d) Small molecules targeting EPH-B4's intracellular tyrosine         kinase domain (e.g. Dasatinib), including:         1: CID: 1095868, AKI-STT-00166305; ZINC00818264; BAS 09636496         IUPAC:         N-[5-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-2-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)sulfanylacetamide.         MW: 404.93678|MF: C18H17ClN4OS2. (MW is molecular weight and MF         is molecular formula) 2: CID: 1465558, IUPAC:         2-[(3-chlorobenzoyl)amino]-4-methyl-N-pyridin-3-yl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 372.82872|MF: C17H13ClN4O2S.         3: CID: 1468201, IUPAC:         N-[5-[(2-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]pyridine-4-carboxamide,         MW: 372.82872|MF: C17H13ClN4O2S.         4: CID: 3062316, Dasatinib; Sprycel; BMS Dasatinib, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S.         5: CID: 3072360, 142287-40-9;         Pyrimido(4,5-d)pyrimidin-4(1H)-one,         7-methyl-1-phenyl-2-((3-(4-(2-thiazolyl)-1-piperazinyl)propyl)thio)-IUPAC:         2-methyl-8-phenyl-7-[3-[4-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propylsulfanyl]pyrimido[6,5-d]pyrimidin-5-one,         MW: 479.6209|MF: C23H25N7OS2.         6: CID: 5041467, STK154706; ZINC04687922, IUPAC:         [2-[(2-methylphenyl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-(4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone,         MW: 380.4667|MF: C19H2ON6OS.         7: CID: 9822929, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-imidazol-1-ylpyridazin-3-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 411.869|MF: C18H14ClN7OS.         8: CID: 9927718, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-(cyclopropanecarbonylamino)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 335.809|MF: C15H14ClN3O2S.         9: CID: 10006113, IUPAC:         N-[4-chloro-2-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,3]thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide         hydrochloride, MW: 498.81322|MF: C20H18C13N5O2S.         10: CID: 10006114, IUPAC:         N-[4-chloro-2-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,3]thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide,         MW: 462.35228|MF: C20H17Cl2N5O2S.         11: CID: 10052635, IUPAC:         2-[[2-methyl-5-[[6-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]phenyl]amino]-N-(2-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 527.68362|MF: C29H33N7OS.         12: CID: 10195898, IUPAC:         N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl]-methylamino]methyl]-4-methyl-7-oxothieno[2,3-e]pyridine-6-carboxamide,         MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S.         13: CID: 10206276, IUPAC:         N-[4-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-1-propan-2-ylpiperidine-4-carboxamide,         MW: 484.01354|MF: C24H26ClN5O2S.         14: CID: 10252208, IUPAC:         2-[4-(5-amino-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenyl]-3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)quinazolin-4-one,         MW: 431.89746|MF: C22H14ClN5OS.         15: CID: 10253695, IUPAC:         2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 459.90756|MF: C23H14ClN5O2S.         16: CID: 10301604, IUPAC:         N-[4-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-1-propan-2-ylpiperidine-4-carboxamide,         MW: 519.994466|MF: C24H24ClF2N5O2S.         17: CID: 10344807, IUPAC:         N-[2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]acetamide,         MW: 473.93414|MF: C24H16ClN5O2S.         18: CID: 10368624, IUPAC:         N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[(2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl)-methylamino]methyl]-7-methyl-4-oxothieno[3,2-e]pyridine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S.         19: CID: 10370949, IUPAC:         (3Z)-4-[[(2S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]-3-[6-methyl-2-[4-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-7,9-dihydropurin-8-ylidene]pyridin-2-one,         MW: 578.08832|MF: C27H28ClN9O2S.         20: CID: 10412586, IUPAC:         N-[2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]acetamide,         MW: 473.93414|MF: C24H16ClN5O2S.         21: CID: 10413555, IUPAC:         N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[[(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl]-methylamino]methyl]-7-methyl-4-oxothieno[3,2-e]pyridine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S.         22: CID: 10456156, IUPAC:         4-[(3-chlorothiophen-2-yl)methylamino]-2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylphenyl)amino]pyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 444.93774|MF: C20H21ClN6O2S.         23: CID: 10458706, IUPAC:         N-[5-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]pyrimidin-4-yl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)propanamide,         MW: 502.03212|MF: C23H28ClN7O2S.         24: CID: 11153014, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS.         25: CID: 11167695, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[2-methyl-6-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S.         26: CID: 11168231, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 514.42684|MF: C24H21Cl2N5O2S.         27: CID: 11200510, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 403.88582|MF: C18H18ClN5O2S.         28: CID: 11247793, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(methyl-(3-methylaminopropyl)amino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 444.9808|MF: C21H25ClN6OS.         29: CID: 11260009, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 472.9909|MF: C22H25ClN6O2S.         30: CID: 11269410, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 394.27832|MF: C16H13Cl2N5OS.         31: CID: 11282881, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 473.97896|MF: C21H24ClN7O2S         32: CID: 11283174, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 487.01748|MF: C23H27ClN6O2S.         33: CID: 11328827, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(3-imidazol-1-ylpropylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 467.97438|MF: C22H22ClN7OS.         34: CID: 11407465, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 418.90046|MF: C18H19ClN6O2S.         35: CID: 11466196, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[2-methyl-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide.         MW: 502.03212|MF: C23H28ClN7O2S.         36: CID: 11466607, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide         hydrochloride, MW: 524.46648|MF: C22H27Cl2N7O2S.         37: CID: 11487256, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 430.91116|MF: C19H19ClN6O2S.         38: CID: 11505502, IUPAC:         2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide.         MW: 626.65257|MF: C29H29F3N8O3S.         39: CID: 11512538, IUPAC:         2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]ethyl         2,2-dimethylpropanoate, MW: 572.12196|MF: C27H34ClN7O3S.         40: CID: 11539665, IUPAC:         (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-[(5-fluoro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone,         MW: 449.904626|MF: C20H18ClF2N5OS.         41: CID: 11540687, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide         hydrate, MW: 506.02082 MF: C22H28ClN7O3S.         42: CID: 11569328, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-methylphenyl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 486.02942|MF: C24H28ClN5O2S.         43: CID: 11570976, IUPAC:         2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 640.67915|MF: C30H31F3N8O3S.         44: CID: 11577776, IUPAC:         2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 571.57407|MF: C26H24F3N7O3S.         45: CID: 11590089, IUPAC:         (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[5-methyl-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone,         MW: 431.914163|MF: C20H19ClFN5OS.         46: CID: 11606973, IUPAC:         N-[5-[[3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]-2-methylphenyl]-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S.         47: CID: 11650098, IUPAC:         2-[[6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 596.62659|MF: C28H27F3N8O2S.         48: CID: 11650132, IUPAC: pentyl         N-[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]carbamate,         MW: 602.14794|MF: C28H36ClN7O4S.         49: CID: 11650511, IUPAC:         N-[5-[[3-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]-2-methylphenyl]-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 683.74695|MF: C32H36F3N9O3S.         50: CID: 11664355, IUPAC:         2-[(2-methyl-6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 597.61135|MF: C28H26F3N7O3S.         51: CID: 11664511, IUPAC:         2-[[4-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S.         52: CID: 11669430, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2-methyl-6-piperazin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 443.95298|MF: C20H22ClN7OS.         53: CID: 11676373, IUPAC:         (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone,         MW: 431.914163|MF: C20H19ClFN5OS.         54: CID: 11684148, IUPAC:         (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-[(5-chloro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone,         MW: 466.359223|MF: C20H18Cl2FN5OS.         55: CID: 11700117, IUPAC:         2-[[6-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 624.67975|MF: C30H31F3N8O2S.         56: CID: 11707091, IUPAC:         2-[[2-methyl-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 610.65317|MF: C29H29F3N8O2S.         57: CID: 11714286, IUPAC:         2-[[5-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S.         58: CID: 11714353, IUPAC:         2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 640.67915|MF: C30H31F3N8O3S.         59: CID: 11752136, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[5-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S.         60: CID: 11772766, IUPAC:         4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)ethylamino]-2-pyridin-4-yl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 358.8452|MF: C17H15ClN4OS.         61: CID: 11775143, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2-methyl-6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 444.93774|MF: C20H21ClN6O2S.         62: CID: 11854012, IUPAC:         2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]acetic         acid, MW: 501.98906|MF: C22H24ClN7O3S.         63: CID: 11854269, IUPAC:         2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]ethyl         hydrogen sulfate, MW: 568.06874|MF: C22H26ClN7O5S2.         64: CID: 11854270, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethyl         amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 461.96826|MF: C20H24ClN7O2S         65: CID: 11854271, IUPAC:         2-[[6-(2-aminoethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 417.9157|MF: C18H20ClN7OS.         66: CID: 11854272, IUPAC:         2-[[2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]acetyl]amino]ethanesulfonic         acid, MW: 609.12066|MF: C24H29ClN8O5S2.         67: CID: 11854533, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-4-hydroxy-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S.         68: CID: 11854534, IUPAC:         N-[2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S.         69: CID: 11854535, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-oxidopiperazin-4-ium-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S.         70: CID: 11854536, IUPAC:         2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]-1-oxidopiperazin-1-ium-1-yl]acetic         acid, MW: 517.98846|MF: C22H24ClN7O4S.         71: CID: 11949914, IUPAC:         4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-dimethylaminopyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethyl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 473.931003|MF: C22H25ClFN7O2.         72: CID: 11951866, IUPAC:         4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-pyrrolidin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 456.900483|MF: C22H22ClFN6O2.         73: CID: 11952045, IUPAC:         4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-pyrrolidin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropyl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 470.927063|MF: C23H24ClFN6O2.         74: CID: 15979866, IUPAC:         5-[2-[[4-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-N-methylpyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 437.51802|MF: C21H23N7O2S.         75: CID: 15980109, IUPAC:         N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 425.50732|MF: C20H23N7O2S         76: CID: 15980233, IUPAC:         N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 426.49208|MF: C20H22N6O3S.         77: CID: 15980347, IUPAC:         N-(2-methylaminoethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 439.5339|MF: C21H25N7O2S.         78: CID: 15980351, IUPAC:         5-[2-[[4-[4-(2-hydroxyacetyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,         MW: 521.51539|MF: C22H22F3N7O3S.         79: CID: 15982537, IUPAC:         (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[6-[(5-fluoro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-5-methylpyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone,         MW: 449.904626|MF: C20H18ClF2N5OS.         80: CID: 16034848, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, MW: 638.09238|MF: C26H32ClN7O8S.         81: CID: 16037977, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S.         82: CID: 16061431, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]phenyl]benzamide,         MW: 981.60828|MF: C51H57ClN14O3S.         83: CID: 16223227, IUPAC: but-2-enedioic acid;         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 604.0777|MF: C26H30ClN7O6S.         84: CID: 16223228, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide         hydrobromide, MW: 568.91748|MF: C22H27BrClN7O2S.         85: CID: 16223229, IUPAC: but-2-enedioic acid;         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 604.0777|MF: C26H30ClN7O6S.         86: CID: 16223316, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         methanesulfonic acid, MW: 584.1112|MF: C23H30ClN7O5S2.         87: CID: 16223317, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         phosphoric acid, MW: 586.00072|MF: C22H29ClN7O6PS.         88: CID: 16223318, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         2-hydroxybenzoic acid, MW: 626.12628|MF: C29H32ClN7O5S.         89: CID: 16223319, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         sulfuric acid, MW: 586.08402|MF: C22H28ClN7O6S2.         90: CID: 16223320, IUPAC:         N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide;         4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid, MW: 660.20716|MF: C29H34ClN7O5S2.         91: CID: 16584134, AKE-PB223730486, IUPAC:         N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS.         92: CID: 16584137, AKE-PB223730492, IUPAC:         N-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS.         93: CID: 16584139, AKE-PB223730496, IUPAC:         2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methyl-N-(2-methylphenyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 353.44136|MF: C18H19N5OS.         94: CID: 16655683, IUPAC:         2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 414.6968|MF: C15H10Cl3N5OS.         95: CID: 16655839, IUPAC:         N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,         MW: 508.42402|MF: C21H23Cl2N7O2S.         96: CID: 16660745, IUPAC: N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethyl         amino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 399.441923|MF: C19H18FN5O2S.         97: CID: 16660747, IUPAC:         N-(4-ethylphenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 409.50462|MF: C21H23N5O2S.         98: CID: 16660907, IUPAC:         4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-N-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 395.47804|MF: C20H21N5O2S.         99: CID: 16661063, IUPAC:         N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 415.89652|MF: C19H18ClN5O2S.         100: CID: 16661212, IUPAC:         N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 409.50462|MF: C21H23N5O2S.         101: CID: 16661214, IUPAC:         4-(1-hydroxybutan-2-ylamino)-N-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide,         MW: 423.5312|MF: C22H25N5O2S.

Herein, CID is the compound identifier as defined in Pubchem.

-   -   e) Small molecules targeting and antagonising downstream         components of the NEPOR signalling pathway, particularly EPH-B4         tyrosine kinase inhibitors.     -   f) Combination therapies involving one or more of approaches         a-e.     -   g) The present disclosure also provides a combination therapy.         Co-administration of EPO with an intracellular inhibitor of         NEPOR signalling (e.g. Dasatinib) is proposed to maintain EPO         signalling via EPOR (and thus promote haematopoiesis) while         inhibiting survival of NEPOR positive tumour cells.

NEPOR Based Therapeutics to Treat Neuronal Insults

Without being bound by theory, the present disclosure provides that EPO is neuroprotective because of its effects on NEPOR activity, i.e. in particular and/or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 activity. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a method for treating ischemic stroke, trauma, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and cognitive dysfunction with an agonistic NEPOR targeted therapy. Specific approaches to positively enhance NEPOR mediated survival signals include:

-   -   a) NEPOR specific antibodies. Such antibodies bind and         initiate/enhance the mediation of NEPOR's cyto-protective         activity.     -   b) NEPOR specific small-molecules. Such small molecules bind and         initiate/enhance the mediation of NEPOR's cytoprotective         activity.     -   c) NEPOR-targeting EPO mutants and glycosylated versions         thereof. Due to EPOR's strict conformational requirements for         mediating signalling in response to EPO, the following to EPOR         mutants (SEQ ID NO. 17-SEQ ID NO. 212.) favour binding to NEPOR         as opposed to EPOR and thus primarily act as tissue protective.

SEQ ID NO. 17 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITRVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRGQALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSL TTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 18 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVD KAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 19 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLT TLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 20 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTL LRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 21 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPPGVGQLFPAVGAPAAACG SEQ ID NO. 22 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENNHC SEQ ID NO. 23 APPRLICDSRVLEAYLLEAKEAENIT SEQ ID NO. 24 APPRLICDSRVLEAYLLEAKEAENIT SEQ ID NO. 25 APPRLICDSRVLEEYLLEAKEAENIT SEQ ID NO. 26 APPRLICDSRVLERYL SEQ ID NO. 27 APPRLI SEQ ID NO. 28 APPRLICDSRVLERYILEAKEAENVTMGCAEGPRLSENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEKELMSPPDTTPPAPLRTLTVDT FCKLFRVYANFLRGKLKLYTGEVCRRGDR

Deletions of hWT 4 EPOR Interaction Sites

SEQ ID NO. 29 APPRLICEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRGQALLVNSSQPWEP LQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 30 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRGQALL VNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTG EACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 31 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACR TGDR SEQ ID NO. 32 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFGKLKLYTGEACR TGDR

C-Term Deletions Beginning at the Last Cysteine Bridge C161

SEQ ID NO. 33 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHOSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEA SEQ ID NO. 34 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGE SEQ ID NO. 35 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTG SEQ ID NO. 36 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYT SEQ ID NO. 37 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLITLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LY SEQ ID NO. 38 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK L SEQ ID NO. 39 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK SEQ ID NO. 40 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKL SEQ ID NO. 41 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGK SEQ ID NO. 42 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRG SEQ ID NO. 43 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLR SEQ ID NO. 44 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFL SEQ ID NO. 45 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNF SEQ ID NO. 46 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSN SEQ ID NO. 47 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYS SEQ ID NO. 48 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVY SEQ ID NO. 49 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLASLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRV SEQ ID NO. 50 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFR SEQ ID NO. 51 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLF SEQ ID NO. 52 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKL SEQ ID NO. 53 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRK SEQ ID NO. 54 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFR SEQ ID NO. 55 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTF SEQ ID NO. 56 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADT SEQ ID NO. 57 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITAD SEQ ID NO. 58 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITA SEQ ID NO. 59 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTIT SEQ ID NO. 60 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTI SEQ ID NO. 61 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRT SEQ ID NO. 62 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLR SEQ ID NO. 63 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPL SEQ ID NO. 64 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAP SEQ ID NO. 65 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAA SEQ ID NO. 66 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASA SEQ ID NO. 67 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAAS SEQ ID NO. 68 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAA SEQ ID NO. 69 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDA SEQ ID NO. 70 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPD SEQ ID NO. 71 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPP SEQ ID NO. 72 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISP SEQ ID NO. 73 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAIS SEQ ID NO. 74 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAI SEQ ID NO. 75 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEA SEQ ID NO. 76 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKE SEQ ID NO. 77 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQK SEQ ID NO. 78 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQ SEQ ID NO. 79 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGA SEQ ID NO. 80 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALG SEQ ID NO. 81 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRAL SEQ ID NO. 82 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRA SEQ ID NO. 83 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLR SEQ ID NO. 84 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLL SEQ ID NO. 85 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTL SEQ ID NO. 86 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTT SEQ ID NO. 87 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLT SEQ ID NO. 88 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSL SEQ ID NO. 89 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRS SEQ ID NO. 90 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLR SEQ ID NO. 91 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGL SEQ ID NO. 92 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSG SEQ ID NO. 93 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVS SEQ ID NO. 94 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAV SEQ ID NO. 95 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKA SEQ ID NO. 96 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDK SEQ ID NO. 97 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVD SEQ ID NO. 98 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHV SEQ ID NO. 99 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLH SEQ ID NO. 100 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQL SEQ ID NO. 101 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQ SEQ ID NO. 102 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPL SEQ ID NO. 103 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEP SEQ ID NO. 104 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWE SEQ ID NO. 105 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENTTTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPW SEQ ID NO. 106 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQP SEQ ID NO. 107 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQ SEQ ID NO. 108 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSS SEQ ID NO. 109 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNS SEQ ID NO. 110 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVN SEQ ID NO. 111 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLV SEQ ID NO. 112 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALL SEQ ID NO. 113 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QAL SEQ ID NO. 114 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QA SEQ ID NO. 115 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG Q SEQ ID NO. 116 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG SEQ ID NO. 117 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLR SEQ ID NO. 118 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVL SEQ ID NO. 119 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAV SEQ ID NO. 120 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEA SEQ ID NO. 121 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSE SEQ ID NO. 122 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLS SEQ ID NO. 123 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALL SEQ ID NO. 124 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLAL SEQ ID NO. 125 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLA SEQ ID NO. 126 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGL SEQ ID NO. 127 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQG SEQ ID NO. 128 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQ SEQ ID NO. 129 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVW SEQ ID NO. 130 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEV SEQ ID NO. 131 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVE SEQ ID NO. 132 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAV SEQ ID NO. 133 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAREAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQA SEQ ID NO. 134 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQ SEQ ID NO. 135 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQ SEQ ID NO. 136 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVG SEQ ID NO. 137 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEV SEQ ID NO. 138 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRME SEQ ID NO. 139 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRM SEQ ID NO. 140 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKR SEQ ID NO. 141 APPRLICDSRVIERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWK SEQ ID NO. 142 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAW SEQ ID NO. 143 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYA SEQ ID NO. 144 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFY SEQ ID NO. 145 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNF SEQ ID NO. 146 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVN SEQ ID NO. 147 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKV SEQ ID NO. 148 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTK SEQ ID NO. 149 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDT SEQ ID NO. 150 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPD SEQ ID NO. 151 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVP SEQ ID NO. 152 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITV SEQ ID NO. 153 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENIT SEQ ID NO. 154 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENI SEQ ID NO. 155 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNEN SEQ ID NO. 156 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNE SEQ ID NO. 157 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLN SEQ ID NO. 158 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSL SEQ ID NO. 159 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCS SEQ ID NO. 160 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHC SEQ ID NO. 161 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEH SEQ ID NO. 162 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAE SEQ ID NO. 163 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCA SEQ ID NO. 164 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGC SEQ ID NO. 165 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTG SEQ ID NO. 166 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITT SEQ ID NO. 167 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENIT SEQ ID NO. 168 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENI SEQ ID NO. 169 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAEN SEQ ID NO. 170 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAE SEQ ID NO. 171 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEA SEQ ID NO. 172 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKE SEQ ID NO. 173 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAK SEQ ID NO. 174 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEA SEQ ID NO. 175 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLE SEQ ID NO. 176 APPRLICDSRVLERYLL SEQ ID NO. 177 APPRLICDSRVLERYL SEQ ID NO. 178 APPRLICDSRVLERY SEQ ID NO. 179 APPRLICDSRVLER SEQ ID NO. 180 APPRLICDSRVLE SEQ ID NO. 181 APPRLICDSRVL SEQ ID NO. 182 APPRLICDSRV SEQ ID NO. 183 APPRLICDSR SEQ ID NO. 184 APPRLICDS SEQ ID NO. 185 APPRLICD SEQ ID NO. 186 APPRLIC

Single Amino Acid Mutations (Ala/Conversions) and all combinations/permutations thereof and all glycosylated versions of same. All possible combinations/permutations of mutations contained in Single mutations of SEQ ID NOs. 187-208 and glycosylated versions thereof.

SEQ ID NO. 187 APPRLICASRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 188 APPRLICRSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 189 APPRLICDSRVLEAYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 190 APPRLICDSRVLEEYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKRAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 191 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAAEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 192 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAEEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 193 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDAKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 194 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTAVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 195 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTEVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 196 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKANFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 197 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVAFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 198 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDAAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 199 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDEAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 200 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVAGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 201 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLASLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 202 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEWGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLESLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 203 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRALTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 204 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFAVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 205 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFEVYSNFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 206 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLASLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSAFLRGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 207 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLAGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 208 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRG QALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLEGKLK LYTGEACRTGDR

EPO Peptides Overlapping Interaction Regions

SEQ ID NO. 209 APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITT SEQ ID NO. 210 NENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEV SEQ ID NO. 211 NSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLL SEQ ID NO. 212 FRKLFRVYSNFLRGKLKL

-   -   d) NEPOR-targeting EPO chimera's. Such mutants bind and         initiate/enhance the mediation of NEPOR's cytoprotective         activity. For example, in a scenario where NEPOR constitutes an         Ephrin A1 molecule (either as a homodimer or in heterodimeric         association with EPOR), then chimeric proteins involving fusions         of part of EPH-B4's Ephrin-ligand-binding domain and part of the         EPO molecule may be developed as optimised binding partners.         This implies fusing an N-terminal portion of EPO (derived from         SEQ IDNO. 213) to a C-terminal portion of EPH-B4's Ephrin ligand         binding domain (SEQ IDNO. 214), giving a sequence similar to SEQ         IDNO. 215, or fusing an N-terminal portion of EPH-B4's Ephrin         ligand binding domain (derived from SEQ ID NO. 214) to a         C-terminal portion of EPO (SEQ ID NO. 213), giving a sequence         similar to SEQ ID NO. 216.     -   e) high-affinity peptides which specifically target NEPOR to         initiate/enhance the mediation of EPO's cytoprotective activity.     -   f) Small molecules targeting and enhancing the activity of         downstream components of NEPOR.     -   g) Combination therapies involving one or more of approaches         a-f.

SEQ ID NO. 213 >P01588|EPO_HUMAN Erythropoietin - Homo sapiens (Human). MGVHECPAWLWLLLSLLSLPLGLPVLGAPPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHC SLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQAVEVWQGLALLSEAVLRGQALLVNSSQPWEPLQL HVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRKLFRVYSNFLRGKL KLYTGEACRTGDR SEQ ID NO. 214 >EPH-B4_ephrin_ligand_binding_domain EETLLNTKLETADLKWVTFPQVDGQWEELSGLDEEQHSVRTYEVCDVQRAPGQAHWLRTG WVPRRGAVHVYATLRFTMLECLSLPRAGRSCKETFTVFYYESDADTATALTPAWMENPYI KVDTVAAEHLTRKRPGAEATGKVNVKTLRLGPLSKAGFYLAFQDQGACMALLSLHLFYKK C SEQ ID NO. 215 >NtermEPO_CtermEPHB4LBD APPRLICDSRVLERYLLEAKEAENITTGCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKVNFYAWKRMEVGQQA VEVWQGLALLSEAVLRGQALLVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAIS PPDAASALTPAWMENPYIKVDTVAAEHLTRKRPGAEATGKVNVKTLRLGPLSKAGFYLAF QDQGACMALLSLHLFYKKC SEQ ID NO. 216 >NtermEPHB4LBD_CtermEPO EETLLNTKLETADLKWVTFPQVDGQWEELSGLDEEQHSVRTYEVCDVQRAPGQAHWLRTG WVPRRGAVHVYATLRFTMLECLSLPRAGRSCKETFTVFYYESDADTATALSEAVLRGQAL LVNSSQPWEPLQLHVDKAVSGLRSLTTLLRALGAQKEAISPPDAASAAPLRTITADTFRK LFRVYSNFLRGKLKLYTGEACRTGDR Compounds in Combination with EPO

Such compounds, in combination with EPO, inhibit EPH-B4's tyrosine kinase activity while permitting EPOR mediated signalling/haematopoiesis. The following 101 compounds, either alone or in combination, inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of EPH-B4 containing NEPOR dimers. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a combination therapeutic agent of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with EPO to provide the hematopoietic properties of EPO along with the prevention of NEPOR signalling so as to block the potentially fatal side effect of EPO to promote tumour survival and angiogenesis.

1: CID: 1095868, AKI-STT-00166305; ZINC00818264; BAS 09636496 IUPAC: N-[5-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-2-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)sulfanylacetamide. MW: 404.93678|MF: C18H17ClN4OS2. (MW is molecular weight and MF is molecular formula). 2: CID: 1465558, IUPAC: 2-[(3-chlorobenzoyl)amino]-4-methyl-N-pyridin-3-yl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 372.82872|MF: C17H13ClN4O2S. 3: CID: 1468201, IUPAC: N-[5-[(2-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]pyridine-4-carboxamide, MW: 372.82872|MF: C17H13ClN4O2S. 4: CID: 3062316, Dasatinib; Sprycel; BMS Dasatinib, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S. 5: CID: 3072360, 142287-40-9; Pyrimido(4,5-d)pyrimidin-4(1H)-one, 7-methyl-1-phenyl-2-((3-(4-(2-thiazolyl)-1-piperazinyl)propyl)thio)-IUPAC: 2-methyl-8-phenyl-7-[3-[4-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propylsulfanyl]pyrimido[6,5-d]pyrimidin-5-one, MW: 479.6209|MF: C23H25N7OS2. 6: CID: 5041467, STK154706; ZINC04687922, IUPAC: [2-[(2-methylphenyl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-(4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)methanone, MW: 380.4667|MF: C19H20N6OS. 7: CID: 9822929, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-imidazol-1-ylpyridazin-3-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 411.869|MF: C18H14ClN7OS. 8: CID: 9927718, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-(cyclopropanecarbonylamino)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 335.809|MF: C15H14ClN3O2S. 9: CID: 10006113, IUPAC: N-[4-chloro-2-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,3]thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide hydrochloride, MW: 498.81322|MF: C20H18Cl3N5O2S. 10: CID: 10006114, IUPAC: N-[4-chloro-2-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl]-5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,3]thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxamide, MW: 462.35228|MF: C20H17Cl2N5O2S. 11: CID: 10052635, IUPAC: 2-[[2-methyl-5-[[6-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]phenyl]amino]-N-(2-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 527.68362 MF: C29H33N7OS. 12: CID: 10195898, IUPAC: N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl]-methylamino]methyl]-4-methyl-7-oxothieno[2,3-e]pyridine-6-carboxamide, MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S. 13: CID: 10206276, IUPAC: N-[4-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-1-propan-2-ylpiperidine-4-carboxamide, MW: 484.01354|MF: C24H26ClN5O2S. 14: CID: 10252208, IUPAC: 2-[4-(5-amino-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenyl]-3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)quinazolin-4-one, MW: 431.89746|MF: C22H14ClN5OS. 15: CID: 10253695, IUPAC: 2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 459.90756|MF: C23H14ClN5O2S. 16: CID: 10301604, IUPAC: N-[4-[(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl]-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-1-propan-2-ylpiperidine-4-carboxamide, MW: 519.994466|MF: C24H24ClF2N5O2S. 17: CID: 10344807, IUPAC: N-[2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]acetamide, MW: 473.93414|MF: C24H16ClN5O2S. 18: CID: 10368624, IUPAC: N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[(2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl)-methylamino]methyl]-7-methyl-4-oxothieno[3,2-e]pyridine-5-carboxamide, MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S. 19: CID: 10370949, IUPAC: (3Z)-4-[[(2S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]-3-[6-methyl-2-[4-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-7,9-dihydropurin-8-ylidene]pyridin-2-one, MW: 578.08832|MF: C27H28ClN9O2S. 20: CID: 10412586, IUPAC: N-[2-[4-[3-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-4-oxoquinazolin-2-yl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]acetamide, MW: 473.93414|MF: C24H16ClN5O2S. 21: CID: 10413555, IUPAC: N-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[[[(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-pyrimidin-2-ylethyl]-methylamino]methyl]-7-methyl-4-oxothieno[3,2-e]pyridine-5-carboxamide, MW: 497.99706|MF: C24H24ClN5O3S. 22: CID: 10456156, IUPAC: 4-[(3-chlorothiophen-2-yl)methylamino]-2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylphenyl)amino]pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 444.93774|MF: C20H21ClN6O2S. 23: CID: 10458706, IUPAC: N-[5-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]pyrimidin-4-yl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)propanamide, MW: 502.03212|MF: C23H28ClN7O2S. 24: CID: 11153014, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS. 25: CID: 11167695, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[2-methyl-6-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S. 26: CID: 11168231, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 514.42684|MF: C24H21Cl2N5O2S 27: CID: 11200510, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 403.88582|MF: C18H18ClN5O2S. 28: CID: 11247793, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(methyl-(3-methylaminopropyl)amino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 444.9808|MF: C21H25ClN6OS. 29: CID: 11260009, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 472.9909|MF: C22H25ClN6O2S. 30: CID: 11269410, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 394.27832|MF: C16H13Cl2N5OS. 31: CID: 11282881, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 473.97896|MF: C21H24ClN7O2S. 32: CID: 11283174, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 487.01748|MF: C23H27ClN6O2S. 33: CID: 11328827, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(3-imidazol-1-ylpropylamino)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 467.97438|MF: C22H22ClN7OS. 34: CID: 11407465, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 418.90046|MF: C18H19ClN6O2S. 35: CID: 11466196, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[2-methyl-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylamino)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide. MW: 502.03212|MF: C23H28ClN7O2S. 36: CID: 11466607, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide hydrochloride, MW: 524.46648|MF: C22H27Cl2N7O2S. 37: CID: 11487256, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 430.91116|MF: C19H19ClN6O2S 38: CID: 11505502, IUPAC: 2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide. MW: 626.65257|MF: C29H29F3N8O3S. 39: CID: 11512538, IUPAC: 2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]ethyl 2,2-dimethylpropanoate, MW: 572.12196|MF: C27H34ClN7O3S. 40: CID: 11539665, IUPAC: (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-[(5-fluoro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone, MW: 449.904626|MF: C20H18ClF2N5OS. 41: CID: 11540687, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide hydrate, MW: 506.02082 MF: C22H28ClN7O3S. 42: CID: 11569328, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-methylphenyl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 486.02942|MF: C24H28ClN5O2S. 43: CID: 11570976, IUPAC: 2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 640.67915|MF: C30H31F3N8O3S. 44: CID: 11577776, IUPAC: 2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 571.57407|MF: C26H24F3N7O3S. 45: CID: 11590089, IUPAC: (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[5-methyl-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone, MW: 431.914163|MF: C20H19ClFN5OS. 46: CID: 11606973, IUPAC: N-[5-[[3-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]-2-methylphenyl]-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S. 47: CID: 11650098, IUPAC: 2-[[6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 596.62659|MF: C28H27F3N8O2S. 48: CID: 11650132, IUPAC: pentyl N-[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]carbamate, MW: 602.14794|MF: C28H36ClN7O4S. 49: CID: 11650511, IUPAC: N-[5-[[3-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]-2-methylphenyl]-2-[[6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 683.74695|MF: C32H36F3N9O3S. 50: CID: 11664355, IUPAC: 2-[(2-methyl-6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 597.61135|MF: C28H26F3N7O3S. 51: CID: 11664511, IUPAC: 2-[[4-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S. 52: CID: 11669430, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2-methyl-6-piperazin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 443.95298|MF: C20H22ClN7OS. 53: CID: 11676373, IUPAC: (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone, MW: 431.914163|MF: C20H19ClFN5OS. 54: CID: 11684148, IUPAC: (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[[6-[(5-chloro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone, MW: 466.359223|MF: C20H18Cl2FN5OS. 55: CID: 11700117, IUPAC: 2-[[6-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 624.67975|MF: C30H31F3N8O2S. 56: CID: 11707091, IUPAC: 2-[[2-methyl-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 610.65317|MF: C29H29F3N8O2S. 57: CID: 11714286, IUPAC: 2-[[5-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 625.66451|MF: C30H30F3N7O3S. 58: CID: 11714353, IUPAC: 2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-methyl-5-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 640.67915 j MF: C30H31F3N8O3S. 59: CID: 11752136, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[5-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S. 60: CID: 11772766, IUPAC: 4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)ethylamino]-2-pyridin-4-yl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 358.8452|MF: C17H15ClN4OS. 61: CID: 11775143, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[(2-methyl-6-morpholin-4-ylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 444.93774|MF: C20H21ClN6O2S. 62: CID: 11854012, IUPAC: 2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]acetic acid, MW: 501.98906|MF: C22H24ClN7O3S. 63: CID: 11854269, IUPAC: 2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]ethyl hydrogen sulfate, MW: 568.06874 MF: C22H26ClN7O5S2. 64: CID: 11854270, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylamino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 461.96826|MF: C20H24ClN7O2S 65: CID: 11854271, IUPAC: 2-[[6-(2-aminoethylamino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 417.9157|MF: C18H20ClN7OS. 66: CID: 11854272, IUPAC: 2-[[2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]piperazin-1-yl]acetyl]amino]ethanesulfonic acid, MW: 609.12066|MF: C24H29ClN8O5S2. 67: CID: 11854533, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-4-hydroxy-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S. 68: CID: 11854534, IUPAC: N-[2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S. 69: CID: 11854535, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-oxidopiperazin-4-ium-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 504.00494|MF: C22H26ClN7O3S. 70: CID: 11854536, IUPAC: 2-[4-[6-[[5-[(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)carbamoyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]-1-oxidopiperazin-1-ium-1-yl]acetic acid, MW: 517.98846|MF: C22H24ClN7O4S. 71: CID: 11949914, IUPAC: 4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-dimethylaminopyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethyl]pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 473.931003|MF: C22H25ClFN7O2. 72: CID: 11951866, IUPAC: 4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-pyrrolidin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 456.900483|MF: C22H22ClFN6O2. 73: CID: 11952045, IUPAC: 4-[[2-(5-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-pyrrolidin-1-ylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropyl]pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 470.927063|MF: C23H24ClFN6O2. 74: CID: 15979866, IUPAC: 5-[2-[[4-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-N-methylpyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 437.51802|MF: C21H23N7O2S. 75: CID: 15980109, IUPAC: N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 425.50732|MF: C20H23N7O2S 76: CID: 15980233, IUPAC: N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 426.49208|MF: C20H22N6O3S. 77: CID: 15980347, IUPAC: N-(2-methylaminoethyl)-5-[2-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 439.5339|MF: C21H25N7O2S. 78: CID: 15980351, IUPAC: 5-[2-[[4-[4-(2-hydroxyacetyl)piperazin-1-yl]pyridin-2-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyridine-3-carboxamide, MW: 521.51539|MF: C22H22F3N7O3S. 79: CID: 15982537, IUPAC: (3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-[4-[6-[(5-fluoro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-5-methylpyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl]methanone, MW: 449.904626|MF: C20H18ClF2N5OS. 80: CID: 16034848, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, MW: 638.09238|MF: C26H32ClN7O8S. 81: CID: 16037977, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 488.00554|MF: C22H26ClN7O2S. 82: CID: 16061431, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; 4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]phenyl]benzamide, MW: 981.60828|MF: C51H57ClN14O3S. 83: CID: 16223227, IUPAC: but-2-enedioic acid; N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 604.0777|MF: C26H30ClN7O6S. 84: CID: 16223228, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide hydrobromide, MW: 568.91748|MF: C22H27BrClN7O2S. 85: CID: 16223229, IUPAC: but-2-enedioic acid; N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 604.0777|MF: C26H30ClN7O6S. 86: CID: 16223316, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; methanesulfonic acid, MW: 584.1112|MF: C23H30ClN7O5S2. 87: CID: 16223317, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; phosphoric acid, MW: 586.000721|MF: C22H29ClN7O6PS. 88: CID: 16223318, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, MW: 626.12628|MF: C29H32ClN7O5S. 89: CID: 16223319, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; sulfuric acid, MW: 586.08402|MF: C22H28ClN7O6S2. 90: CID: 16223320, IUPAC: N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide; 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid, MW: 660.20716|MF: C29H34ClN7O5S2. 91: CID: 16584134, AKE-PB223730486, IUPAC: N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS. 92: CID: 16584137, AKE-PB223730492, IUPAC: N-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 373.85984|MF: C17H16ClN5OS. 93: CID: 16584139, AKE-PB223730496, IUPAC: 2-[(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amino]-4-methyl-N-(2-methylphenyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 353.44136|MF: C18H19N5OS. 94: CID: 16655683, IUPAC: 2-[(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino]-N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 414.6968|MF: C15H10Cl3N5OS. 95: CID: 16655839, IUPAC: N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-[[6-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide, MW: 508.42402|MF: C21H23Cl2N7O2S. 96: CID: 16660745, IUPAC: N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 399.441923|MF: C19H18FN5O2S. 97: CID: 16660747, IUPAC: N-(4-ethylphenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 409.50462|MF: C21H23N5O2S. 98: CID: 16660907, IUPAC: 4-(2-hydroxyethyl amino)-N-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 395.47804|MF: C20H21N5O2S. 99: CID: 16661063, IUPAC: N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 415.89652|MF: C19H18ClN5O2S 100: CID: 16661212, IUPAC: N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 409.50462|MF: C21H23N5O2S. 101: CID: 16661214, IUPAC: 4-(1-hydroxybutan-2-ylamino)-N-(4-methylphenyl)-6-methylsulfanyl-2-pyridin-4-ylpyrimidine-5-carboxamide, MW: 423.5312|MF: C22H25N5O2S.

NEPOR: Combined Prognostic and Therapeutic Value in Cancer Treatment.

Without being bound by theory, the observation that EPO treated patients often have poorer survival outcomes (at least in some cancers) means that treatment of these patients with a NEPOR targeted therapy provides a pharmacogenetic approach to targeted cancer treatment providing tumour tissue can be assessed for expression of NEPOR. Such a therapeutic perspective changes the balance in favour of performing biopsies under all suitable circumstances—meaning for cancers where EPOR, EPH-B4 and/or EphrinA1 are typically expressed.

The present disclosure further provides a method for imaging tumour tissue that is susceptible to enhanced survival in response to EPO treatment, comprising administering an anti-NEPOR antibody or NEPOR binding peptide linked to a radio-ligand or other imaging agent, and measuring for tissue distribution and location of the radio-ligand or other imaging agent.

If a tumour is NEPOR positive, then EPO is contraindicated and a NEPOR targeted therapy is administered. If NEPOR is not present, then it is safe to administer EPO. Both outcomes stand to benefit patient outcome, regardless of whether a patient is NEPOR positive or negative. Again, this shifts the balance in favour of performing routine biopsies.

In one embodiment the invention relates to an siRNA molecule specific to EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 for use in treating a cancer patient that is or will receive EPO.

EPH-B4 siRNAs and Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides

Various EphB4-specific anti-sense phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and siRNA may be synthesized from (e.g. by Qiagen. The most active antisense ODN and siRNA that knocks down EphB4 expression in the transiently transfected 293T cell line is chosen. The antisense ODN that may be used is AS-10 which spans nucleotides 1980 to 1999 with a sequence 5′-ATG GAG GCC TCG CTC AGA AA-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 217). To eliminate cytokine responses, the cytosine at the CpG site may be methylated (AS-10M) without any loss in EphB4 knockdown efficiency (data not shown). Scrambled ODNs containing random nucleotide sequence and a similar CpG site, 5′-TAC CTG AAG GTC AGG CGA AC-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 218), may be used as control. siRNA 465 corresponding to the sequences 5′-GGU GAA UGU CAA GAC GCU GUU-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 219) and 3′-UUC CAC UUA CAG UUC UGC GAC-5′ (SEQ ID NO. 220) may be used for RNA interference. Control siRNA may be generated by mutating three bases in this sequence to effectively abrogate EphB4 knockdown. This mutated siRNA (siRNAΔ) had the sequences 5′-AGU UAA UAU CAA GAC GCU GUU-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 221) and 3′-UUU CAA UUA UAG UUC UGC GAC-5′ (SEQ ID NO. 222). Additionally, siRNA directed against green fluorescent protein with sequences 5′-CGC UGA CCC UGA AGU UCA TUU-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 223) and 3′-UUG CGA CUG GGA CUU CAA GUA-5′ (SEQ ID NO. 224) may be used as a negative control.

In one aspect, one or more of the following EPHB4-specific siRNA, which are depicted in double-stranded form, can be administered to a patient to enhance the effectiveness of Epo therapy.

5′-caauagccacucuaacaccuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 242) 3′-uuguuaucggugagauugugg-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 243) 5′-ggggcccgucccauuugaguu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 244) 3′-uuccccgggcaggguaaacuc-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 245) 5′-cugaucugaagugggugacuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 246) 3′-uugacuagacuucacccacug-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 247) 5′-aagacccuaaugaggcuguuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 248) 3′-uuuucugggauuacuccgaca-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 249) 5′-ucgaugucuccuacgucaauu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 250) 3′-uuagcuacagaggaugcaguu-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 251) 5′-auugaagaggugauugguguu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 252) 3′-uuuaacuucuccacuaaccac-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 253) 5′-ggaguuacgggauugugauuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 254) 3′-uuccucaaugcccuaacacua-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 255) 5′-gguacuaaggucuacaucguu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 256) 3′-uuccaugauuccagauguagc-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 257) 5′-guccugacuucaccuauacuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 258) 3′-uucaggacugaaguggauaug-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 259) 5′-ugccgcgucggguacuuccuu-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 260) 3′-uuacggcgcagcccaugaagg-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 261)

In other examples, siRNA can be obtained from commercial sources, such as Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.) and used to enhance Epo therapy. For example, the following siRNA's are commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich:

siRNA_ID entrezgene_ID approx_start_nucleotide EPHRIN A1 SASI_Hs01_00211016 NM_004428 247 SASI_Hs01_00211017 NM_004428 223 SASI_Hs01_00211018 NM_004428 248 SASI_Hs01_00211019 NM_004428 1071 SASI_Hs01_00211020 NM_004428 256 SASI_Hs01_00211021 NM_004428 208 SASI_Hs01_00211022 NM_004428 829 SASI_Hs01_00211023 NM_004428 1015 SASI_Hs01_00211024 NM_004428 846 SASI_Hs01_00211025 NM_004428 225 SASI_Hs01_00071683 NM_182685 248 SASI_Hs01_00071684 NM_182685 214 SASI_Hs01_00071685 NM_182685 242 SASI_Hs01_00071686 NM_182685 1000 SASI_Hs01_00071687 NM_182685 263 SASI_Hs01_00071688 NM_182685 203 SASI_Hs01_00071689 NM_182685 769 SASI_Hs01_00071690 NM_182685 948 SASI_Hs01_00071691 NM_182685 778 SASI_Hs01_00071692 NM_182685 227 EPHB4 SASI_Hs01_00039855 NM_004444 1756 SASI_Hs01_00039856 NM_004444 577 SASI_Hs01_00039857 NM_004444 1373 SASI_Hs01_00039858 NM_004444 2290 SASI_Hs01_00039859 NM_004444 2318 SASI_Hs01_00039860 NM_004444 2353 SASI_Hs01_00039861 NM_004444 2898 SASI_Hs01_00039862 NM_004444 2245 SASI_Hs01_00039863 NM_004444 1679 SASI_Hs01_00039864 NM_004444 1416

In another aspect, methods are provided for enhancing the effectiveness of EPO therapy in a patient, comprising administering to said patient, in conjunction with EPO therapy, antisense molecules specific for EPH-B4 mRNA. In one embodiment, the antisense molecule is an oligonucleotide having the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 217.

Antibodies to NEPOR

The present disclosure includes several antibodies that bind to NEPOR components. The following Table 6 provides a list of such antibodies and their availability.

TABLE 6 Catalog Company Item Antigen Number Applications Type EPOR Abcam Goat Anti-EPO Receptor Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR ab10653 ELISA, WB polyclonal Unconjugated ABR-Affinity Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Monoclonal Antibody, EPOR MA1-51823 WB, ELISA Monoclonal BioReagents Unconjugated, Clone 3D10 Abnova Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Monoclonal Antibody, EPOR H00002057- WB, Capture Monoclonal Corporation Unconjugated, Clone 3D10 M01 ELISA Abcam Goat Anti-Human EPO Receptor Polyclonal EPOR ab27497 ELISA, WB Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated Abcam Mouse Anti-Human EPO Receptor Monoclonal EPOR ab56310 WB Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone MM-0031-6G7 ABR-Affinity Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR PA1-51822 WB Polyclonal BioReagents Unconjugated IMGENEX Goat Anti-Human EPOR Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR IMG-3771 WB, ELISA Polyclonal Unconjugated Lifespan Rabbit Anti-Human Erythropoietin Receptor EPOR LS-C6720 ELISA Polyclonal Biosciences (EPOR) Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated GeneTex Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Monoclonal Antibody, EPOR GTX91710 ELISA, WB Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 3D10 Lifespan Rabbit Anti-Human EPOR Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR LS-C6719- ELISA Polyclonal Biosciences Unconjugated 100 Novus Biologicals Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR H00002057- Polyclonal Unconjugated A01 Novus Biologicals Mouse Anti-Human EPOR Monoclonal Antibody, EPOR H00002057- ELISA, WB Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 3D10 M01 Lifespan Sheep Anti-Human Erythropoietin Receptor EPOR LS-C6718 ELISA, WB Polyclonal Biosciences (EPOR) Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated Lifespan Sheep Anti-Human Erythropoietin Receptor EPOR LS-C6716 Polyclonal Biosciences (EPOR) Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated Lifespan Sheep Anti-Human EPOR Polyclonal Antibody, EPOR LS-C6717-50 ELISA Polyclonal Biosciences Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-Human EpoR (C-20) Polyclonal EpoR (C-20) sc-695 WB, IP, IF, ICH. Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Antibody, Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-EpoR (M-20) Polyclonal Antibody, EpoR (M-20) sc-697 WB, IP, IF, ICH. Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-EpoR Polyclonal Antibody, EpoR sc-5624 WB, IP, IF, ICH. Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated EPH-B4 Abgent Rabbit Anti-EPH-B4 C-term RB1659-1660 EPH-B4 C-term AP7625a ELISA; IHC. Polyclonal Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated ABR-Affinity Rabbit Anti-Human EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 PA1-24241 WB Polyclonal BioReagents Unconjugated ABR-Affinity Mouse Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 MA1-51815 ELISA Monoclonal BioReagents Unconjugated, Clone 1D1 AbD Serotec Human Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal EPH-B4 HCA001 IHC, WB, ELISA Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone 1327 AbD Serotec Human Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal EPH-B4 HCA025 IHC, WB, ELISA Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone 3934 Invitrogen Anti-EPH-B4 receptor Monoclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 35-2900 WB, ELISA Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 3D7F8 GeneTex Rabbit Anti-EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 GTX77656 WB Polyclonal Unconjugated Invitrogen Mouse Anti-EPH-B4 Receptor Monoclonal EPH-B4 182394 IHC(FFPE) Monoclonal Antibody,, Clone 3D7G8 Invitrogen Anti-Eph Receptor Sampler Pack Antibody, EPH-B4 901100 ELISA Monoclonal GeneTex Mouse Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 GTX91629 Unconjugated, Clone 1D1 Invitrogen Mouse Anti-Human EPH-B4 Receptor Monoclonal EPH-B4 371800 WB ELISA IP, Monoclonal Antibody,, Clone 3D7G8 IHC Novus Biologicals Mouse Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 H00002050- Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 1D1 M01 R&D Systems Goat Anti-Human EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 AF3038 FC, IHC, WB Polyclonal Unconjugated Raybiotech, Inc. Human Anti-Human EPH-B4, (packaged with EPH-B4 DS-MB- Monoclonal HRP-Conjugated Secondary Antibody); 01224 Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated R&D Systems Rat Anti-Human EPH-B4 Monoclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 MAB3038 FC, IHC, WB Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 395810 Santa Cruz Goat Anti-EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 sc-7284 WB, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Goat Anti-EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 sc-7285 WB, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-EPH-B4 Polyclonal Antibody, EPH-B4 sc-5536 WB, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Raybiotech, Inc. Human Anti-Human EPH-B4, (packaged with EPH-B4 DS-MB- Monoclonal HRP-Conjugated Secondary Antibody); 01225 Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated EFNA1 Invitrogen Anti-Ephrin A1 Polyclonal Antibody, EFNA1 34-3300 Polyclonal Unconjugated, Clone ZMD.39 Novus Biologicals Mouse Anti-Human EFNA1 Monoclonal Antibody, EFNA1 H00001942- Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 3C6 M01 Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-ephrin-A1 (V-18) Polyclonal Antibody, EFNA1 (V-18) sc-911 WB, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-ephrin-A1 Polyclonal Antibody, EFNA1 sc-20719 WB, IP, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Abcam Rabbit Anti-Human Ephrin A1 Receptor Polyclonal EFNA1 ab37857 ELISA, IHC, WB Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated GeneTex Mouse Anti-Human EFNA1 Monoclonal Antibody, EFNA1 GTX91614 Monoclonal Unconjugated, Clone 3C7 EFNB2 Novus Biologicals Mouse Anti-Human EFNB2 Polyclonal Antibody, EFNB2 H00001948- Polyclonal Unconjugated A01 Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-ephrin-B2 (P-20) Polyclonal Antibody, EFNB2 (P-20) sc-1010 WB, IF Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Goat Anti-ephrin-B2 Polyclonal Antibody, EFNB2 sc-19227 WB, IF, IP Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated Santa Cruz Rabbit Anti-ephrin-B2 Polyclonal Antibody, EFNB2 sc-15397 WB, IF, IP Polyclonal Biotechnology, Inc. Unconjugated

In one aspect there is provided a method for assessing tumour tissue for expression of EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1, comprising: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or shall receive erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of the EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1, (c) correlating the presence of these component gene expression products to a negative physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin. In one embodiment, the level of expression of the component genes (mRNA) is determined by a molecular biological technique selected from the group consisting of PCR, QPCR, R-PCR, gene expression microarray analysis, northern-blot analysis, reverse transcription and amplification, zymography, ligase-chain-reaction, NASBA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), to capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF). In another, the individual is a cancer patient who is to be treated with erythropoietin or is being treated with erythropoietin. In one example, the presence of EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 gene expression products is indicative of poorer loco-regional tumor control and poorer patient survival upon treatment with erythropoietin. In another, the presence of a higher level of EPH-B4 and/or is Ephrin A1 gene expression products is indicative of poorer loco-regional tumour control and poorer patient survival upon treatment with erythropoietin. In some embodiments, the means for testing for the presence of the gene expression products are a protein array or binding to a mass microbalance instrument. In others, the determination of the presence of the EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 gene products is done by detecting the respective proteins with an immunoassay procedure, where the immunoassay procedure is selected from the group of immunoprecipitation, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or fluorescent immunoassay, a chemiluminescent assay, an agglutination assay, nephelometric assay, turbidimetric assay, a Western blot, a competitive immunoassay, a noncompetitive immunoassay, a homogeneous immunoassay a heterogeneous immunoassay, a bioassay and a reporter-assay. In one example, the immunoassay is an ELISA. In another embodiment, the tissue sample may be selected from the cancerous tissue or circulating cells derived from same or from a group of biological tissues and fluids such as blood, lymph, urine, cerebral fluid.

In another aspect, a prognostic method is provided to stratify patients having a tumour as suitable (EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1) or non-suitable (EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1) for EPO treatment, comprising: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or shall receive erythropoietin; (b) determining the level of expression of the EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 gene(s) component, a EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 from the isolated tissue; and (c) correlating the presence of EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 component gene expression products to a negative physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin. In one embodiment, the level of expression of EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 component genes is determined by a molecular biological technique selected from the group consisting of PCR, QPCR, R-PCR, gene expression microarray analysis, northern-blot analysis, reverse transcription and amplification, zymography, ligase-chain-reaction, NASBA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF). In another, the determination of the presence of the EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 gene products is done by detecting the respective protein with an immunoassay procedure, where the immunoassay procedure is selected from the group of ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme immunoassay (ETA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or fluorescent immunoassay, a chemiluminescent assay, an agglutination assay, nephelometric assay, turbidimetric assay, a Western blot, a competitive immunoassay, a noncompetitive immunoassay, a homogeneous immunoassay a heterogeneous immunoassay, a bioassay and a reporter-assay such as a luciferase-assay. The tissue sample can be selected from the cancerous tissue or circulating is cells derived from same, or from a group of biological tissues and fluids such as blood, lymph, urine, cerebral fluid.

In another aspect, a method is provided for imaging tumour tissue that is susceptible to enhanced survival in response to EPO treatment, comprising administering an anti-EPH-B4 and/or anti-Ephrin A1 antibody or EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 binding peptide linked to a radio-ligand or other imaging agent, and measuring for tissue distribution and location of the radio-ligand or other imaging agent. In one embodiment, the anti-EPH-B4 and/or anti-Ephrin A1 antibody is a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody selected from the group of antibodies listed in Table 6.

In another aspect, a method is provided for designing a compound which interferes with NEPOR's survival promoting activity, comprising: (a) providing the molecular makeup of the NEPOR species and providing amino acid sequences of a component NEPOR polypeptides; (b) using software comprised by the digital computer to design a chemical compound/protein construct which is predicted to bind to NEPOR; and

(c) optionally designing protein constructs which mimic NEPOR in its dimerised/multimerised state (e.g. Fc constructs).

A method also is provided for identifying compounds that modulate NEPOR's tissue protective signalling activity, comprising (a) contacting a test compound with the NEPOR receptor complex; (b) measuring the level of tissue protective activity initiated by NEPOR activation; (c) identifying a test compound which increases or decreases the level of tissue protective NEPOR complex activity; (d) assaying the identified therapeutics for tissue protective activity mediated via NEPOR; and (e) assaying the identified therapeutics for NEPOR inhibitory activity. In one embodiment, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by measuring the binding of the test compound to the NEPOR receptor complex. In another, the test compound is labelled and binding of the labelled test compound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the test compound. The tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity can be measured by measuring the binding of the test compound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex.

In another aspect, a method is provided for identifying compounds that modulate NEPOR's tissue protective signalling activity, comprising (a) contacting a test compound with the NEPOR receptor complex expressing cell; (b) measuring the level of tissue protective activity initiated by NEPOR activation in the cell; (c) identifying a test compound which increases or decreases the level of tissue protective NEPOR complex activity in a cell; (d) assaying the identified compounds for tissue protective activity mediated via NEPOR; and (e) assaying the identified therapeutics for NEPOR inhibitory activity. In one embodiment, the assay in step (d) is a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by a cell proliferation/differentiation assay. In one example, the cells in the cell proliferentiation/differentiation assay are recombinantly engineered to express EPH-B4, and/or EPOR, and/or Ephrin A1. In another, the cells endogenously expresses an EPO receptor and are transformed with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that (i) is operably linked to a promoter, and (ii) encodes either EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1. In another example, the cells endogenously express EPH-B4 and/or Ephrin A1 and are transformed with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that (i) is operably linked to a promoter, and (ii) encodes an EPO receptor polypeptide.

In one aspect, a method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates the interaction between a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex with one or more test compounds; and (b) measuring the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity, whereby if the activity measured in (b) differs from the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity in the absence of the one or more test compounds, then a compound that modulates the interaction between the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex and the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is identified. In one embodiment, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is measured by cell proliferation or cell differentiation. In another, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity measured is the ability of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex to interact with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. In another, the step of assaying the identified compound for tissue protective activity comprises detecting the presence of nucleolin in the cell. In some embodiments, the step of assaying the identified compound for tissue protective activity comprises detecting or measuring an increased level of activity of neuroglobin or cytoglobin in a cell. In others, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is in solution. In another the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is in a cell. In some aspects, the compound inhibits the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, while in others the compound enhances the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. The tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex contacted in step (a) can be on a cell surface or on an isolated cell membrane. In some embodiments, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is compared to EPOR receptor activation to identify NEPOR specific compounds. In some embodiments, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is immobilized to a solid surface. In one example, the solid surface is a microtiter dish, and in another it is a chip.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for identifying a compound that binds a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; and (b) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding EPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least two EPO receptor extracellular domains fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support (c) removing unbound test compounds from the solid supports; (d) identifying the compound attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment, but not the EPOR receptor complex (and vice versa), whereby a compound bound to the solid support is identified as a compound that binds specifically to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex or a compound that binds specifically to an EPOR receptor complex.

In another aspect, a method is provided for identifying a compound that binds a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a ligand-binding tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; (b) removing unbound test compounds from the solid supports; (c) identifying the compound attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment, whereby a compound bound to the solid support is identified as a compound that binds specifically to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for identifying a compound that binds to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support with (i) a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand attached to a first label and (ii) an equivalent amount of a test compound attached to a second label under conditions conducive to binding; (b) removing unbound material from the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; and (c) detecting the level of the first and second labels wherein if the second label is present the compound binds the complex and if the level of the first label decreases relative to the level of the first label where the labelled ligand is contacted with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex under conditions conducive to binding in the absence of a test compound after removal of unbound material, then a compound that binds to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is identified.

In another aspect, a method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex, comprising: (a) contacting a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand with a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex fragment comprising at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor extracellular domain and at least one EPO receptor or EPH-B4 receptor or Ephrin A1 receptor, extracellular domain fused to an Fc fragment attached to a solid support; in the presence of one or more test compounds under conditions conducive to binding; and (b) measuring the amount of tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligated bound to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; whereby if the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand measured in (b) differs from the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand measured in the absence of the one or more test compounds, then a compound that modulates the binding of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is identified. In one embodiment, the amount of bound tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is measured using a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand-specific antibody. In another, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is labelled and binding of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. In one aspect, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is labelled and binding of the labelled ligand to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex is measured by detecting the label attached to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. In one example, the label is fluorescent. In another embodiment, the test compound is an antibody specific for the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In another, the test compound is a small molecule or a peptide or a member of a library. In one embodiment, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand is EPO, or derivatives thereof. In some aspects, the compound binds the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In others, the compound binds the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. In some embodiments, the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex activity is compared to EPOR receptor activation to identify NEPOR specific compounds.

In one aspect, a method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity in a mammal, comprising: (a) administering the compound to a first animal immediately following infliction of an injury, wherein the first animal endogenously expresses a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex; and (b) administering the compound to a second animal immediately following infliction of the same injury as in step (a), wherein the second animal is deficient in expression of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex or components thereof; such that if recovery from the injury differs in the animal of step (a) as compared to the animal of step (b), a compound that modulates a tissue protective activity is identified.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for treating the negative patient outcomes associated with EPO stimulated NEPOR function, involving the co-administration of EPO with an inhibitor of NEPOR activity. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering an effective amount of anti-NEPOR antibody from claim 1, in combination with EPO, whereby such combinations permits haematopoietic signalling whilst switching off NEPOR signalling and thus EPO mediated cell survival signals on tumour cells. In another, the method further comprises administering an effective amount of EPHB4 tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with EPO, whereby such combinations permits haematopoietic signalling whilst switching off NEPOR signalling and thus EPO mediated cell survival signals on tumour cells. In another, the method further comprises administering an effective amount of anti-NEPOR siRNA's, in combination with EPO, whereby such combinations permits haematopoietic signalling whilst switching off NEPOR signalling and thus EPO mediated cell survival signals on tumour cells.

In another aspect, a method is provided for decreasing the survival of tumour cells or tissues in a human comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates the activity of a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex to a human in need thereof, wherein said decreased survival of cancer cells/tissues results in the decrease of tumour growth and/or an increase in patient survival, with the proviso that the compound is an EPO derivative and not a wild-type EPO.

In one aspect, there is provided a method for modulating cell survival in NEPOR positive tissue comprising administering an EPO mutants and peptides selected from the group consisting of peptides from each of SEQ ID NO. 17 through SEQ ID NO. 212.

In another, a method is provided for modulating cell survival in NEPOR positive tissue comprising administering an effective amount of an EPO chimera's, comprising an ephrin receptor ligand binding domain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.215, and SEQ ID NO. 216. In one embodiment, the compound is an antibody specific for the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In another, the compound is an antibody is specific for a tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex ligand. In another, the compound is a small molecule, peptide, or a member of a library. In another, the compound binds to the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In another, the compound decreases the activity of the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In another, the compound is administered in conjunction with an EPO. In another embodiment, the disease or disorder is a cancer including, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, small intestine cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer, stomach cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), malignant melanoma, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer, vulvar cancer, Penile cancer, testicular cancer, thymus cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, eye cancer, adrenal gland cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, appendix cancer, adenoid cancer, bile duct cancer, urethral cancer, spinal cancer, Ewing's family of tumors, extragonal germ cell cancer, extra hepatic bile duct cancer, fallopian tube cancer, soft tissue cancers, bone cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, anal cancer, malignant mesothelioma, vaginal cancer skin cancer, central nervous system cancer (craniopharyngioma), pleuropulmonary blastoma, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis and ureter, pituitary gland cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, and salivary gland cancer. In one embodiment, the cancer comprises cancer cells expressing the tissue protective NEPOR receptor complex. In another the cancer is metastatic cancer. In another, the cancer is an angiogenesis-dependent cancer.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for treating a patient suffering from an angiogenesis-associated disease, comprising administering to the patient a compound identified by the inventive methods.

In another aspect, there is provided siRNA which is specific for EPH-B4 for use in treating a cancer and/or tumor patient that is receiving or will receive Erythropoietin.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A variety of sequence analysis approaches were pursued, including the search for homologues of the EPO binding domain from EPOR, a domain analysis based method combined with text-mining, and EPO homology analysis followed by text-mining of resultant hits. Only that part of the human proteome exposed to the extracellular environment was investigated. This allowed a focus on homologies that were significant, though possibly overlooked within the context of a complete proteome analysis. This formed the XtraCell database. The XtraCell database performed a signal peptide and transmembrane prediction for the entire human proteome. All proteins possessing at least one of these features were stored in a first version of the extracellular database. Given that not all extracellular proteins actually possess either of these features, there was extracted a list of protein domains specific to the extracellular environment from a SMART (Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool—.SMART is a well-known protein domain database with a strong bias towards domains contained in signalling proteins.) These were then screened against the human proteome using the HMMER algorithm. HMMER is a freely distributable implementation of profile HMM software for protein sequence analysis—Profile hidden Markov models (profile HMMs) can be used to do sensitive database searching using statistical descriptions of a sequence family's consensus. All hits were added to the XtraCell database and the dataset made non-redundant. A final version of the XtraCell database was established for the purpose of these EPO specific analyses.

Example 2

This example illustrates a domain-based approach coupled with a text-mining and genome-wide analysis. The operating theory was that any novel EPO receptor involved in mediating EPO's neuroprotective effect might also possess the two membrane proximal fibronectin 3 (FN3) domains (as found in EPOR), whilst at the same time being hypoxia inducible. Such conserved domain architecture is compatible with both a heterodimeric complex containing EPOR and/or an independent hypoxia inducible homodimeric receptor. All proteins containing two membrane proximal FN3 domains from the human proteome (84 in all) were extracted and asked whether there was any evidence for their role in response to low oxygen conditions/ischaemia. (See FIG. 4) The latter analysis was performed using a text-mining approach that encompasses the use of comprehensive protein synonyms, and concepts such as hypoxia and ischaemia. Of the 84 proteins containing the 2FN3-TM domain composition, only four showed evidence for mediating response to low oxygen conditions: EPH-B4, IL6RB, TIE1 and GM-CSF. Apart from EPH-B4, the cellular role of each of these proteins has been studied and an important role in response to hypoxia established.

Direct examination of the EPH-B4 locus revealed that it directly juxtaposes the EPO locus, albeit on the opposite strand. (See FIG. 5) This close genomic association was conserved in all vertebrate genomes examined. The need for immediate response of cells to low oxygen conditions and thus the need to co-transcribe/-translate key effector molecules was seen. Moreover, such genomic co-localisation of functionally associated molecules is seen for other receptor:ligand partners (e.g. MST1 and its receptor MST1R: see worldwide web at ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/contigview?gene=OTTHUMG00000136237; db=vega).

To examine this possibility in greater detail, we analysed the promoter, 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR regions of EPO, EPHB4 and EPOR in search of hypoxia inducible factor binding sites. Here we utilised the ‘match’ algorithm from Genomatix, searching for strict conservation of the core binding site residues and at least 90% conservation of non-core residues. We found that the EPO and EPH-B4 loci possessed numerous hypoxia-inducible transcription factor binding sites. In contrast, the EPOR gene regulatory regions were found to be complete devoid of such HIF-1 binding sites, again hinting at a possible role for EPHB4 as a hypoxia inducible EPO receptor. (See FIG. 6)

Example 3

This example shows the homology-based approach using human extra-cellular database. Here we sought to directly identify regions of EPO binding activity in other proteins, by direct comparison to the EPO binding domain of EPOR. The region of EPOR responsible for EPO binding was thus extracted and used to identify homologies with proteins of the XtraCellDB. This specially developed database holds distinct advantages in that all homologies identified are to human extracellular proteins, thus avoiding the need to assess spurious homologies to irrelevant intracellular species. Analysis of resultant homologues revealed a striking homology to the Ephrin A1 protein, within the top four hits. Given what we had learned about EPH-B4's possible role in EPO signalling we decided to assess this homology in greater detail using the Swiss-model protein structure package. Here we employed information derived from the co-crystal structure of Ephrin A5 in association with EphB2 and compared it to EPO:EPOR co-crystal information. Conservation of key residues in structurally aligned positions allowed us to conclude a firm structural basis for association between Ephrin A1 and EPO. Moreover, the realisation that both EphrinA1 and EPHB4 possess a putative affinity for EPO, suggests a more exciting functional context for ephrin biology than heretofore recognised (See FIG. 7).

Example 4

This example provides wet lab or in vivo data that validates the bioinformatics analysis provide in Examples 1-3 herein. In vivo validation of EPH-B4's role in EPO signalling has focussed on the neuroprotective aspect of EPO's function, with a bias towards the hypothesis that EPH-B4 and EPOR are heterodimeric partners. The following table lists the validation experiments for which data are available (see Table 7).

TABLE 7 LAB-BASED validation experiments Method Goal Result Immuno- To assess the expression Precipitation stainings on adult rodent brain histochemistry of EPHB4 protein in brain showed that EPHB4 was expressed in adult and how it relates to neurons in the same pattern as EPO receptor. EPOR expression. Staining in hippocampus showed co-expression of EPOR and EPHB4 (See FIG. 8). Strikingly, the staining was restricted to particular cells within the field of tissue. Co-IP Exogenous expression of Positive. Use of EPOR antibody successfully EPOR/EPHB4 in COS Co-IP's EPHB4 protein. cells. Co-ip with EpoR- and EphB4-antibodies => WB analysis.

Immunohistochemistry.

For immunofluorescence, sections of paraffin-embedded rat brain tissues (2 μm) were deparaffinated and microwaved (citrate buffer at 600 W for 15 min). Afterwards, sections were incubated simultaneously with the EpoR antiserum (1:200; sc-697, Santa Cruz Biotechnology) and the EphB4 antibody (1:100; AF446, R&D Systems) at 4° C. over night. After adding a biotinylated anti-goat secondary antibody (1:200; Dianova), sections were incubated with Streptavidin-coupled Alexa Fluor 555 (1:200; Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany) and a FITC-coupled anti-rabbit secondary antibody (1:200; Dianova). The nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst 33342 (1:10,000; Molecular Probes). Controls for the stainings included omission of primary antibodies, fluorophor swapping, and single-fluorescence stainings. Images were obtained with an Olympus IX-81 microscope with narrow-bandwidth monochromator excitation (Polychrome IV, Till Photonics, Gräfelfing, Germany) and appropriate filters.

Both EPHB4 and EPOR displayed a striking co-localisation when assessed in rat brain tissue sections. Without being bound by theory, this co-expression suggests functional coupling of both receptors.

Co-Immunoprecipitation.

The principle of an immunoprecipitation is an antibody (monoclonal or polyclonal) against a specific target antigen is allowed to form an immune complex with that target in a sample, such as a cell lysate. The immune complex is then captured on a solid support to which either Protein A or Protein G has been immobilized (Protein A or G binds to the antibody, which is bound to its antigen). The process of capturing this complex from the solution is referred to as precipitation. Any proteins not “precipitated” by the immobilized Protein A or G support are washed away. Finally, components of the bound immune complex (both antigen and antibody) are eluted from the support and analyzed by SDS-PAGE (gel electrophoresis), often followed by Western blot detection to verify the identity of the antigen.

Traditional immunoprecipitation involves the following steps:

1. Form the antigen-antibody complex (immune complex) by incubating specific antibody with the antigen-containing sample for 1 hour to several hours. 2. Capture the immune complex on an immobilized Protein A or Protein G agarose gel support by incubation for 0.5-2 hours. 3. Remove any non-bound protein (non-immune complex sample components) from the precipitated complex by washing gel support with additional sample buffer. 4. Boil gel support in reducing SDS-PAGE sample loading buffer. 5. Recover sample eluted in loading buffer from gel support and analyze by SDS-PAGE. 6. Perform Western blot analysis, probing with antigen-specific antibody.

In a co-immunoprecipitation the target antigen precipitated by the antibody “co-precipitates” a binding partner/protein complex from a lysate, that is, the interacting protein is bound to the target antigen, which becomes bound by the antibody that becomes captured on the Protein A or G gel support. The assumption that is usually made when associated proteins are co-precipitated is that these proteins are related to the function of the target antigen at the cellular level.

Assessment of a putative EPHB4:EPOR association using co-immmunoprecipitation showed that both proteins were physically associated. Here, FLAG-tagged EPOR was co-expressed with EPH-B4 in COS cells and then immunoprecipitated using an a-FLAG antibody. As can be seen from FIG. 9, EPHB4 was shown to co-immunoprecipitate in these experiments.

Human Fc Antibody Constructs.

The Fc conjugate approach is most appropriate when dealing with dimeric cell surface receptors. Here the extracellular portion of EPHB4/EPOR can be fused to an Fc fragment. This method has advantages due to its in vivo (therapeutic) viability and the fact that it optimally mimics the dimerised receptor state. FIG. 10 highlights the Human constructs that can be used to show EPHB4's/EphrinA1's affinity for EPO.

One of two alternatives can assay the interaction of the Fc constructs with EPO, including, for example, a protein array approach or a surface plasmon resonance analysis.

Example 5 Further In Vitro and In Vivo Validation of NEPORs Role in Mediating EPO Function

In these experiments we sought to determine the response to erythropoietin (EPO) treatment in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines. This would be mediated by the expression of erythropoietin receptor (EPO as well as two receptors that potentially may be able to activate signaling pathways in response to EPO binding, EPH-B4 and Ephrin A1. It was first necessary to characterize the expression of these receptors in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines. First we collected RNA from each cell line and reverse transcribed them into cDNA. Using specific primers for each receptor we analyzed their RNA expression. As evident in the figures the expression of EPOR and EPH-B4 RNA is different in different cell lines suggesting changes in transcriptional regulation during tumorigenesis no significant changes were seen in the EphrinA1. It was then necessary to determine protein expression of these receptors in the panel. Again we see significant differences in the expression of the EPOR and EPH-B4 receptors though they do not coincide with the RNA expression suggesting there is changes in post transcriptional regulation of these receptors in the cell lines. We then categorized these expression changes particularly with regard to the EPOR and EPH-B4 to then analyze the response to EPO treatment. We analyzed their response to chemotherapy in conjunction with EPO. We found that particularly in the HeyA8 ovarian cancer cell line that EPO was able to abrogate the apoptosis induced by docetaxel. It was then necessary to analyze the activation of signaling pathways known to be activated by these receptors in response to EPO treatment. Three cell lines were starved for two hours to isolate their response to EPO. Cell lines with higher expression (HeyA8 and HeyA8 MDR) of the EPOR demonstrated activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway while cell lines that expressed higher EPH-B4 (SKOV3ip1) demonstrated increased activation of the AKT and STAT5b signaling pathways. We then sought to determine a EPO dose that optimized its tumor promoting effect in vivo. Female nude mice were injected i.p. with HeyA8 MDR (positive for both EPOR and EPH-B4). At day eight the mice were treated with increasing doses of EPO (10, 50, 100 U) every two days. Treatment continued until tumors became evident, the mice were then sacrificed and the tumor weight was determined. We saw an increase in tumor weight as compared to control in the mice treated with 10 and 50 U EPO. The differential expression of EphB4 in cell lines as well as the activation of particular signaling pathways suggested that it would also mediate the tumor promoting effect in vivo. To determine this we again injected mice with HeyA8 MDR cell lines i.p. At day eight we began treatment with EPO (50 U 3× week) in conjunction with siRNA specific to EPH-B4 [sense: (SEQ ID NO: 266) 5′CAGCCAAUAGCCACUCUAA3′; antisense: (SEQ ID NO: 267) 5′UUAGAGUGGCUAUUGGCUG3′]. As previously described EphB4 siRNA was able decrease tumor growth alone. Moreover, EPH-B4 siRNA also completely abrogated the EPO induced tumor growth.

Example 6

To further validate that EPHB4 is a novel EPO receptor a co-immunoprecipitation experiment was conducted using an anti-EPHB4 antibody to immuno-precipitate EPHB4 from cellular lysate.

In particular, cells (HeyA8 MDR and A2780cp20) were grown in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum and gentamycin. At 70% confluency, the cells were treated with Epo (50U/ml) for 15 and 30 minutes. In addition, one group of cells were exposed to MG132 (10 μM) for 30 minutes. Cell lysates were prepared after washing twice with cold-PBS and incubated in modified radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer (RIPA). Protein concentrations were determined using a BCA Protein Assay Reagent kit (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill.). For immunoprecipitation, 500 μg of cell lysate was incubated with 6 μl of primary antibody (EphB4-Abcam) overnight at 4° C. Protein A Sepharose beads were added, and the mixture was incubated for 3 hours at 4° C. Laemilli buffer was added to dislodge complexes from beads, and beads were separated by centrifugation at 3,500 g for 5 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant were then used for immunoblot analysis. Supernatants were subjected to 8% SDS-PAGE separation. Samples transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane electrophoresis (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.) were incubated with EphB4 (Abeam Co.) and Epo (R & D Systems) antibodies overnight at 4° C., detected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated anti-mouse/rabbit IgG (Amersham, Piscataway, N.J.), and developed using enhanced chemiluminescence detection kit (Pierce Biotechnology).

The results are provided in FIG. 19. The data clearly demonstrates a direct association between EPHB4 and EPO, suggesting tight functional coupling of both proteins.

Example 7

Radiolabelled EPO is capable of binding to independent cell-lines to various degrees. The capacity of EPHB4 to mediate such binding was investigated in three different cell-lines with varying degrees of EPHB4 and EPOR expression.

Cells (HeyA8, HeyA8 MDR and A2780cp20) were grown in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum and gentamycin. Cells were transiently transfected with control siRNA [sense: 5′UUCUCCGAACGUUGUCACGU3′ (SEQ ID NO: 264); antisense: 5′ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAA3′ (SEQ ID NO: 265)], EphB4 siRNA [sense: 5′CAGCCAAUAGCCACUCUAA3′ (SEQ ID NO: 266); antisense: 5′UUAGAGUGGCUAUUGGCUG3′ (SEQ ID NO: 267)] or EpoR siRNA[sense: 5′CCGAAGAGCUUCUGUGCUU3′ (SEQ ID NO: 262); antisense: 5′AAGCACAGAAGCUCUUCGG3′ (SEQ ID NO: 263)]. After 72 hours, the cells were detached with 0.1% EDTA. 1×10⁶ cells were diluted in 80 μl of binding buffer (MEM+20 mM HEpes, Ph 7.4, 0.1% BSA). They were incubated with 7.5 mM ¹²⁵I-Epo at room temperature for 2.5 hours. Non-specific binding was determined by exposing the cells to 7.5 mM ¹²⁵I-Epo and cold-Epo (×200). The cells were washed with PBS and resuspended in cushion buffer (10% BSA in PBS). After centrifugation, the tubes were frozen in dry ice, and the pellet clipped and placed in scintillation fluid. Total binding was calculated by subtracting non-specific from total binding.

The results, provided in FIG. 20, demonstrate that EPHB4 is indeed responsible for the bulk of EPO binding in certain cell types (e.g. A2780cp20).

Example 8

To demonstrate that EPHB4 is responsible for mediating tumour cell survival and reduced patient outcome in response to EPO treatment, immunohistochemical analysis of EphB4 and EpoR was conducted on tumour samples from 71 patients with high grade and high stage epithelial ovarian cancer. All patients were previously treated with surgery followed by taxane-platinum chemotherapy and EPO therapy.

Specifically, immunohistochemical analysis of EphB4 and EpoR was conducted on 4 μm-thick formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian cancer specimens. Slides were deparaffinized with xylene and decreasing concentrations of ethanol and rehydrated with PBS. Antigen retrival for EphB4 was performed using 1× Diva Decloaker (Biocare Medical, Concord, Calif.) under steam for 40 minutes followed by a 20 minute cool down at room temperature. Antigen retrival for EpoR was performed using 1× Borg Decloaker (Biocare Medical) under heat (125° C.) and pressure for 4 minutes followed by a 60 minute cool down at room temperature. Following antigen retrival, all sections were washed with PBS. Endogenous peroxidases were blocked with 3% hydrogen peroxide in PBS for 12 minutes at room temperature followed by nonspecific protein blocking with either 5% BSA in TBST for 10 minutes at room temperature for EphB4 or 5% normal horse serum for 20 minutes at room temperature for EpoR. Sections were then incubated with primary antibody to EphB4 (mouse monoclonal anti-human, 1:500 dilution, Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.) or EpoR (biotinylated mouse monoclonal anti-human, 1:25 dilution, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) in the respectively blocking solution overnight at 4° C. Secondary amplification was performed using either the MACH4 polymer detection system (EphB4: Biocare Medical) or the 4plus Streptavidin AP label (EpoR: Biocare Medical). Visualization was achieved with 3,3′-diaminobezidine (DAB; Open Biosystems, Huntsville, Ala.). Slides were counterstained with Gill No. 2 hematoxylin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), washed with PBS for 1 minute and mounted with Universal Mount (Research Genetics, Huntsville, Ala.). Clinical samples were scored for staining with the EphB4 and EpoR antibodies by a board-certified pathologist who was blinded to the clinical outcome of the patients. EphB4 and EpoR expression was determined semi-quantitatively by assessing the distribution of the positive cells and the staining intensity in the tumor cells. The distribution of positive cells was rated as follows: 0 points, no staining; 1 point, focal or <25%; 2 points, 25-50%, 3 points, 50-75%; 4 points, 75-100%. The staining intensity was rated as focal or weak (1 point), moderate (2 points) or heavy (3 points). Points for intensity and distribution were multiplied, and an overall score ranging from 0 to 12 was assigned. An overall score <3 was deemed negative and >3 positive.

The results are depicted in FIGS. 21-23. Overexpression of EPHB4, but not EPOR was found to correlate with poorer clinical outcome in response to EPO treatment. High levels of EPHB4 expression with low levels of EPOR showed the worst median survival (2.53 years), while low levels of EPHB4 and high levels of EPOR showed the best median survival (7.67 years). The data supports the need for a theranostic test to assess EPHB4 expression prior to, and/or during, an EPO treatment regimen. 

1.-21. (canceled)
 22. A method of determining whether a patient is suitable for erythropoietin (EPO) therapy, comprising (A) isolating a tissue sample from said patient; (B) determining the level of expression of EPH-B4 in said sample; and (C) correlating a presence of EPH-B4 expression to a negative physiological response to EPO therapy.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the level of expression is determined by measuring the amount of EPH-B4 protein in said sample.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the presence of EPH-B4 expression is defined by the percentage of cells in said sample showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein and the concentration of EPH-B4 protein in said cells.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the presence of EPH-B4 expression is defined by the formula P×C wherein P is the percentage of cells in said sample showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein and C is the relative concentration of EPH-B4 protein in said cells, wherein a score of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 is assigned to a sample comprising a percentage of cells showing detectable levels of EPH-B4 protein of, respectively, 0%, <25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and 75-100%, wherein a score of 1, 2 or 3 is assigned to relative concentrations of EPH-B4 protein of, respectively, weak, moderate and heavy, and wherein a resulting product of >3 denotes EPH-B4 expression in the sample.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the level of expression is determined by a technique selected from the group consisting of immunoassay, chemiluminescent assay, nephelometric assay, turbidimetric assay, bioassay and reporter-assay.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the level of expression is determined by an immunoassay selected from the group consisting of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluorescent immunoassay, Western blot, competitive immunoassay, noncompetitive immunoassay, homogeneous immunoassay and heterogeneous immunoassay.
 28. The method of claim 23, wherein the level of expression is determined by ELISA.
 29. The method of claim 23, wherein said level of expression is determined by immunohistochemistry.
 30. The method of claim 22, wherein the level of expression is determined by measuring the amount of EPH-B4 mRNA in said sample.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the level of expression is determined by a technique selected from the group consisting of PCR, QPCR, R-PCR, gene expression microarray analysis, northern-blot analysis, reverse transcription and amplification, zymography, ligase-chain-reaction, NASBA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA), capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF), and RT-PCR.
 32. The method of claim 22, wherein the level of expression is determined by RT-PCR.
 33. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue sample is selected from cancerous tissue or circulating cells derived from same.
 34. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue sample is selected from blood, lymph, urine or cerebral fluid.
 35. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining the level of expression in said sample of at least one of Ephrin A1 or EPOR.
 36. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining the level of expression of Ephrin A1 in said sample.
 37. The method of claim 22, wherein said patient is a cancer patient considering EPO therapy.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said negative physiological response includes the proliferation of cancer cells of said patient.
 39. A method of enhancing the effectiveness of EPO therapy in a patient, comprising administering to said patient, in conjunction with EPO therapy, an siRNA specific for EPH-B4.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the siRNA is selected from the group of nucleic acid duplexes consisting of SEQ ID NO: 242 and SEQ ID NO: 243; SEQ ID NO: 244 and SEQ ID NO: 245; SEQ ID NO: 246 and SEQ ID NO: 247; SEQ ID NO: 248 and SEQ ID NO: 249; SEQ ID NO: 250 and SEQ ID NO: 251; SEQ ID NO: 252 and SEQ ID NO: 253; SEQ ID NO: 254 and SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256 and SEQ ID NO: 257; SEQ ID NO: 258 and SEQ ID NO: 259; SEQ ID NO: 260 and SEQ ID NO: 261; and SEQ ID NO: 266 and SEQ ID NO:
 267. 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the siRNA is a duplex of SEQ ID NO: 219 and SEQ ID NO:
 220. 